CSS Ponchartrain - a brief history

The CSS Pontchartrain began her life as a side-wheel, wooden-hulled packet named the “Lizzie Simmons”. She was built in New Albany, Indiana in 1859. It was known as a fast boat and plied the New Orleans – Ouachita River run under Captain George Hamilton Kirk in 1860. She also operated on the New Orleans – Memphis run with Captain W.B. Richardson at her helm and W.C. Porter serving as her clerk. During this time the vessel served with the Mary E. Keene, another side-wheeler owned by Captain Richardson. But the coming struggle of the nation would alter the course of the Lizzie Simmons forever, changing her name and beginning her journey to Little Rock.

Wartime records show that the Confederate Navy purchased the Lizzie Simmons from Captain Richardson on October 12, 1861 at New Orleans, Louisiana and began to outfit her as a gunboat. She was rechristened the CSS Pontchartrain and was ready for service in March of 1862. The Pontchartrain was placed under the command of Lieutenant J. W. Dunnington, CSN, and assigned to the fleet under Flag Officer G. N. Hollis, CSN, for the defense of the Mississippi River and the Louisiana coast.

Following the evacuation of New Madrid and on April 7, 1862 she and the CSS Maurepas were sent to serve on the rivers of Arkansas. Along the way CSS Pontchartrain assisted with the evacuation of arms and supplies from Fort Randolph in Tennessee. The CSS Pontchartrain is rumored to have cooperated with the Confederate Army in the battle of St. Charles, Arkansas on the White River on June 17, 1862. Reportedly two of her 32- pounder rifled guns were transferred to the fort.

At some point in 1862 or 1863 the CSS Pontchartrain moved on to the Arkansas River and was stationed in Little Rock to defend the capitol. She was still stationed in Little Rock when the capitol city fell to Union Forces on September 10, 1863. There are two different reports of how she met her fate. U.S. Naval records states that the CSS Pontchartrain was burned by to avoid capture on September 9, 1863 at or near Little Rock, Arkansas. Other reports state that she was destroyed by the USS General Price on September 10, 1863 or October 9, 1863.