108:
91:
37:
506:
371:, an iron-clad gunboat with three schooners in tow, arrived in the evening. The next day, Clark's 6th Michigan was embarked on the steamships and schooners and Lt. Col. Abel Smith's 165th New York Zouaves proceeded north along the railroad. The 6th Michigan were to flank Ponchatoula, while the 165th New York attacked the town via railroad. As the troops began their movement, a storm gave way to a hurricane.
335:"Out of 125 men 40 were killed, wounded and missing, almost 50 percent of our number. We were kept as a reserved corps, and came up just in time to save the rest of the party from all being taken prisoners. We kept the enemy from out flanking them and covered their retreat. The fight took place at Paschola We went up the Maunshag river to the Jackson and
399:
was on guard duty at
Jackson, Mississippi. The men were scattered around Jackson doing various tasks. The 14th Mississippi Cavalry was detached to both Osyka, Mississippi, and Camp Moore near Tangipahoa, Louisiana. The 1st Choctaw Battalion and the 14th Mississippi Infantry Regiment were delayed by a
521:
The 6th
Michigan arrived at Ponchatoula a few moments before the 165th New York Zouaves. Ponchatoula was ransacked by the Union troops. Lt. Col. Edward Bacon of the 6th Michigan wrote, "Blue-coated soldiers are running here and there, far and near, singly and by dozens, some with their arms and some
339:
railroad and marched up the road. It was a bad defeat for us we had no artillery and the rebels were 1500 strong with 5 pieces of artillery. We were obliged to leave our dead on the field and the wounded in the hospital with the
Doctors and assistants as prisoners in the Rebels hands as prisoners it
596:
commanded the Union companies. Davis' advance was under the command of
Captain Samuel T. Read of the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry. On the morning of May 12, 1863, Read's men captured a number of prisoners, including some members from the disbanded 1st Choctaw Battalion. Davis' expedition was a success
572:
Southern newspapers (The
Memphis Daily Appeal, The True Delta, New Orleans Bee, and the Mobile News) reported that "We have learned that on Wednesday about 1500 Yankees made an incursion upon Ponchatoula, which was guarded by only 150 cavalry, so sudden was their advent that our men were obliged to
587:
Ponchatoula would be held by the
Confederates until it was recaptured by Union forces in May 1863. Three companies from Texas, two companies from New York, and a company from Massachusetts made their way through the forest and swamps toward Hammond, Louisiana during the night of May 11–12 of 1863.
386:
continued up the
Tickfaw River. The Confederates at Ponchatoula were alarmed by Union movements. Col. Horace H. Miller of the 20th Mississippi had been at Ponchatoula since 1862. Miller retreated and telegraphed Lt. Gen. Pemberton several times in which Miller requested reinforcements. Companies H
360:
On March 21, 1863, Clark's 6th
Michigan expedition left Camp Parapet and proceeded along the New Orleans, Jackson, and Greater Northern Railroad. His orders were to proceed to South Manchac Pass, a journey of about 30 miles. An advanced detachment, led by Clark, proceeded ahead of the main body of
352:
with 40,000 men. The Union officers considered the swamps as the most likely approach. A reconnaissance mission was ordered of
Manchac Pass on the New Orleans, Jackson, & Greater Northern Railroad where it crossed at Jones Island. Union Officer Col. Langdon conducted a reconnaissance operation
565:
The following day saw the retreat of Clark's expedition back to
Manchac Pass. Bacon wrote, "We were able to ascertain that the long time we had spent about Pontchitoula had not been unimproved by the enemy. They had gathered a force greatly outnumbering ours. They had artillery and cavalry, and a
546:
At 3 p.m., Miller's Confederates began their assault to re-take Ponchatoula. The main thrust of the attack was along the railroad. The 1st Choctaw Battalion, 1st Mississippi Cavalry Detachments, and the 14th Mississippi Cavalry Detachment led the assault. A skirmish continued at the burned out
580:
The number of Union troops included 400 of the 6th Michigan, 40 from the 14th Maine, 20 from the 24th Maine, 306 from the 165th New York Zouaves, 100 from the 177th New York, and 26 from the 9th Connecticut. The rebels had, in approximation, 120 of the 1st Choctaw Battalion, 40 of the 20th
576:
On March 31, Col. Smith with a flag of truce met with Col. Miller regarding the return of stolen objects. Bacon wrote, "They are advancing. Col. Miller was there, and another colonel. They would hardly treat me civilly; they are terribly enraged against us."
550:
At 4 p.m., Confederate troops flanked Union soldiers. The flanking troops may have been done by Indian scouts from the 1st Choctaw Battalion. The Union troop pickets retreated from Ponchatoula Creek as they were being chased by the Confederates.
517:
and its schooners in tow were set free and proceeded north on the Tickfaw River. The steamships arrived at Wadesborough, Louisiana, and the 6th Michigan disembarked. Clark's men then proceeded east through the piney woods toward Ponchatoula.
395:, and the 14th Mississippi Cavalry. The 1st Choctaw Battalion was organized in February at Newton Station, Mississippi. They were still electing officers and procuring needed materials under the leadership of Maj. John W. Pierce. The
278:
troops to capture Ponchatoula for the Union and destroy the town's railroad bridge. This was ultimately a failure by the Union, as the outcome of the battle led to the Confederates regaining control of Ponchatoula.
573:
run without their horses. They retreated about 30 miles, telegraphing at an intermediate station for reinforcements, which came the next day in the form of 1,200 of our Indian troops and run the Yankees back …"
530:
Early morning on March 25, Pemberton notified Miller that a bridge near Brookhaven was down and told Miller that reinforcements will be delayed until the 26th. Miller acknowledged Pemberton's letter at 5 a.m.
537:
Clark ordered the main body of troops to a point three miles south of Ponchatoula along the railroad, and he left a body of 300 men as pickets in the town. A smaller picket was left at Ponchatoula Creek.
863:
581:
Mississippi, 60 of the 1st Mississippi Cavalry, 50 from the 14th Mississippi Cavalry (from Camp Moore, Louisiana and Osyka, Mississippi), and 100 from the 14th Mississippi.
391:
had been detached to Ponchatoula in December 1862. They were under the command of Miller and participated in the battle. Troops came from the 1st Choctaw Battalion,
296:
312:
361:
troops. Around noon of the 22nd, Clark's main body had arrived at South Manchac Pass. There they waited for ships carrying the 165th New York. The steamships
848:
300:
251:
149:
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and found Confederates and "negroes" working on the north side of Manchac Pass, but he found no evidence of an approaching invasion. Maj. Gen.
292:
263:
259:
161:
157:
569:
On March 27, Miller praised his troops. He wrote to Pemberton, "I cannot speak too highly of conduct of officers and men of this command."
534:
Citizens, who freely passed between the battle lines, brought reports that Confederate trains were bringing troops to Hammond, Louisiana.
593:
477:
396:
392:
288:
184:
271:
267:
255:
174:
169:
165:
153:
487:
388:
178:
868:
308:
473:
Maj. Felix Dumonteil, Assistant Adjutant-General, of the 14th Mississippi Cavalry, at Camp Moore near Tangipahoa, Louisiana.
378:
soon dissipated as the steamships moved northwest on the Lake Maurepas. By evening, the steamships ceased all movement. The
112:
107:
71:
614:
340:
was a hard jaunt and well nigh cost us all imprisonment … many more die of sickness than of bullets from the enemy …"
36:
628:
858:
247:
99:
323:. The Union's objective of destroying the Manchac railroad, along with 20 train carriages and the bridge over the
584:
A large number of Indian soldiers deserted the 1st Choctaw Battalion when they were not paid for their services.
509:
Ponchatoula Creek where the bridge skirmishes took place. Image taken on March 26, 2016 by Robert Bruce Ferguson.
557:
At sunset (c. 7 p.m.), the Confederate offensive ended. Ponchatoula was again in the hands of the Confederates.
853:
401:
275:
316:
231:
60:
789:, New Orleans, Tuesday, April 7, 1863, Vol. XVII, Whole No. 12,655, "Additional from Southern Sources."
483:
Maj. John W. Pierce, Companies A & B of the 1st Choctaw Battalion at Newton Station, Mississippi.
367:
819:
Ewer, James K. (1903). "History of Read's Company Mounted Rifle Rangers. By Lieut. Henry D. Pope.".
246:. Fought from March 24 to March 26, 1863, the battle was part of an offensive campaign waged by the
729:. Vol. 39, no. 2 (Mar/Apr 2018 ed.). Bandera, Texas: Charlie Richie Sr. p. 64
354:
243:
239:
124:
28:
826:
505:
464:
422:
349:
327:, was a success. However, when the Confederate forces regrouped, Pvt. Elmore Dane of the 26th
324:
235:
135:
128:
493:
Capt. William V. Lester, Company K of the 1st Mississippi Cavalry at Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
375:
320:
304:
589:
344:
In early 1863, a new expedition was sent once again to Ponchatoula. Union headquarters at
820:
470:
Lt. Col. Horace H. Miller, of the 20th Mississippi Infantry at Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
357:
issued orders to Col. Thomas S. Clark of the 6th Michigan to proceed to Manchac Pass.
842:
328:
95:
90:
345:
336:
496:
Capt. Thomas C. Rhodes, of the 14th Mississippi Cavalry at Osyka, Mississippi.
450:
Maj. Fredrick Frye, of the 9th Connecticut at New Orleans and Jones Island.
597:
as the Confederacy was not a major presence for the remainder of the war.
522:
without, bringing all sorts of bundles, and eagerly dividing the spoils."
447:
Lt. Col. Abel Smith, Jr., of the 165th New York (Zouaves) at New Orleans.
429:
404:, which was likely destroyed by the floods the recent hurricane brought.
722:
504:
825:. Historical Committee of the Regimental Association. pp.
435:
Col. Ira W. Ainsworth, of the 177th New York at New Orleans.
802:. The Free Press Steam Book and Job Printing House. p. 84.
777:. The Free Press Steam Book and Job Printing House. p. 82.
764:. The Free Press Steam Book and Job Printing House. p. 65.
751:. The Free Press Steam Book and Job Printing House. p. 60.
711:. The Free Press Steam Book and Job Printing House. p. 56.
698:. The Free Press Steam Book and Job Printing House. p. 55.
685:. The Free Press Steam Book and Job Printing House. p. 52.
672:. The Free Press Steam Book and Job Printing House. p. 51.
656:. The Free Press Steam Book and Job Printing House. p. 50.
444:
Lt. Col. Edward Bacon, of the 6th Michigan at New Orleans.
554:
By 4:30 p.m. the Confederates regained Ponchatoula.
453:
Capt. Orlando W. Trask, of the 14th Maine at New Orleans.
441:
Col. Thomas S. Clark, of the 6th Michigan at New Orleans.
822:
The Third Massachusetts Cavalry in the War for the Union
547:
railroad bridge over the Ponchatoula Creek for an hour.
438:
Col. George M. Atwood, of the 24th Maine at New Orleans.
214:
Confederate Report: 18 killed; 36 wounded (estimated)
476:Maj. Robert J. Lawrence, three companies of the
21:
864:Battles of the American Civil War in Louisiana
315:, also known as Caruther's Sharpshooters, and
418:Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, at New Orleans.
220:Confederate Report: 0 killed; several wounded
8:
664:
662:
648:
646:
814:
812:
810:
808:
723:"Southeastern Indians During The Civil War"
566:large band of Indians for swamp fighting."
348:were alarmed by an improbable invasion by
313:9th Louisiana Infantry Regiment, Company D
301:Expedition to Pass Manchac and Ponchatoula
18:
606:
382:ran aground before twilight, and the
7:
486:Capt. Gadi Herren, Company H of the
287:From September 13 to 15, 1862, the
218:Union Report: 3 killed; 11 wounded
212:Union Report: 0 killed; 9 wounded
478:14th Mississippi Infantry Regiment
397:14th Mississippi Infantry Regiment
393:14th Mississippi Infantry Regiment
14:
849:Battles of the American Civil War
488:1st Mississippi Cavalry Regiment
319:under the command of Brig. Gen.
106:
89:
35:
16:Battle of the American Civil War
425:, 2nd Division, at New Orleans.
309:10th Arkansas Infantry Regiment
432:, 1st Brigade, at New Orleans.
1:
629:"Elmore Dane to Sophia Dane"
467:, at Vicksburg, Mississippi.
615:"The Battle of Ponchatoula"
885:
594:1st Texas Cavalry Regiment
490:at Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
205:
192:
188:20th Mississippi Infantry
185:14th Mississippi Infantry
143:
118:
82:
43:
34:
26:
800:Among the Cotton Thieves
775:Among the Cotton Thieves
762:Among the Cotton Thieves
749:Among the Cotton Thieves
709:Among the Cotton Thieves
696:Among the Cotton Thieves
683:Among the Cotton Thieves
670:Among the Cotton Thieves
654:Among the Cotton Thieves
480:at Jackson, Mississippi.
182:14th Mississippi Cavalry
513:On March 24, 1863, the
402:Brookhaven, Mississippi
389:1st Mississippi Cavalry
179:1st Mississippi Cavalry
166:165th New York Infantry
869:Ponchatoula, Louisiana
798:Bacon, Edward (1867).
773:Bacon, Edward (1867).
760:Bacon, Edward (1867).
747:Bacon, Edward (1867).
707:Bacon, Edward (1867).
694:Bacon, Edward (1867).
681:Bacon, Edward (1867).
668:Bacon, Edward (1867).
652:Bacon, Edward (1867).
510:
342:
331:described it as such:
317:Confederate Home Guard
268:165th New York Zouaves
232:Ponchatoula, Louisiana
119:Commanders and leaders
61:Ponchatoula, Louisiana
508:
333:
228:Battle of Ponchatoula
206:Casualties and losses
175:1st Choctaw Battalion
150:6th Michigan Infantry
22:Battle of Ponchatoula
631:. September 16, 1862
526:Second day of battle
238:at the onset of the
542:Third day of battle
501:First day of battle
350:"Stonewall" Jackson
721:Ferguson, Robert.
511:
355:Nathaniel P. Banks
297:26th Massachusetts
244:American Civil War
240:Vicksburg Campaign
125:Nathaniel P. Banks
113:Confederate States
29:American Civil War
859:1863 in Louisiana
465:John C. Pemberton
423:Thomas W. Sherman
400:downed bridge at
325:Ponchatoula River
274:infantry against
236:Ponchatoula Creek
224:
223:
198:1,200 (estimated)
136:John C. Pemberton
129:Thomas W. Sherman
78:
77:
51:March 24–26, 1863
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727:The Backwoodsman
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321:M. Jeff Thompson
305:George C. Strong
289:13th Connecticut
230:was a battle in
139:Horace H. Miller
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93:
45:
44:
39:
19:
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879:
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854:May 1863 events
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787:New Orleans Bee
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590:Edmund J. Davis
563:
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408:Opposing forces
387:& K of the
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256:9th Connecticut
201:400 (estimated)
187:
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164:
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156:
154:9th Connecticut
152:
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132:Thomas S. Clark
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5:
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170:177th New York
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144:Units involved
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617:. March 2013.
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329:Massachusetts
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318:
314:
310:
306:
302:
299:conducted an
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273:
272:77th New York
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96:United States
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743:
731:. Retrieved
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695:
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682:
677:
669:
653:
633:. Retrieved
623:
609:
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583:
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571:
568:
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556:
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545:
536:
533:
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514:
512:
383:
379:
373:
366:
362:
359:
343:
334:
307:against the
303:led by Maj.
286:
252:6th Michigan
227:
225:
217:
211:
83:Belligerents
27:Part of the
458:Confederate
428:Brig. Gen.
421:Brig. Gen.
346:New Orleans
337:New Orleans
276:Confederate
242:during the
72:Confederate
843:Categories
601:References
384:Barrataria
368:Barrataria
293:12th Maine
283:Background
264:24th Maine
260:14th Maine
162:24th Maine
158:14th Maine
733:March 26,
635:March 27,
561:Aftermath
463:Lt. Gen.
376:hurricane
588:Colonel
430:Neal Dow
365:and the
193:Strength
56:Location
592:of the
74:victory
515:Savary
380:Savary
363:Savary
295:, and
270:, and
234:, and
68:Result
829:–196.
413:Union
248:Union
100:Union
735:2018
637:2021
374:The
226:The
48:Date
827:195
250:'s
845::
807:^
725:.
661:^
645:^
311:,
291:,
266:,
262:,
258:,
254:,
737:.
639:.
102:)
98:(
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