Battle of Ponchatoula

Battle of Ponchatoula
Part of the American Civil War
DateMarch 24–26, 1863
Location
Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States United States (Union) Confederate States of America Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Nathaniel P. Banks
Thomas W. Sherman
Thomas S. Clark
John C. Pemberton
Horace H. Miller
Units involved
6th Michigan Infantry
9th Connecticut
14th Maine
24th Maine
165th New York Infantry
177th New York
1st Choctaw Battalion
1st Mississippi Cavalry
14th Mississippi Cavalry
14th Mississippi Infantry
20th Mississippi Infantry
Strength
1,200 (estimated) 400 (estimated)
Casualties and losses

Union Report: 0 killed; 9 wounded

Confederate Report: 18 killed; 36 wounded (estimated)

Union Report: 3 killed; 11 wounded

Confederate Report: 0 killed; several wounded

The Battle of Ponchatoula was a battle in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, and Ponchatoula Creek at the onset of the Vicksburg Campaign during the American Civil War. Fought from March 24 to March 26, 1863, the battle was part of an offensive campaign waged by the Union's 6th Michigan, 9th Connecticut, 14th Maine, 24th Maine, 165th New York Zouaves, and 77th New York infantry against Confederate troops to capture Ponchatoula for the Union and destroy the town's railroad bridge.[1] This was ultimately a failure by the Union, as the outcome of the battle led to the Confederates regaining control of Ponchatoula.

  1. ^ "The Battle of Ponchatoula". March 2013.