CSS Pontchartrain, formerly named Lizzie Simmons or Eliza Simmons, was purchased by the Confederates at New Orleans, La., on 12 October 1861 and converted to a ship-of-war. When ready for service in March 1862, she was placed under the command of Lt. J. W. Dunning-ton, CSN, and assigned to the fleet under Flag Officer G. N. Hollins, CSN, for the defense of the Mississippi River and Louisiana coast.
Pontchartrain fought at Island No. 10 and New Madrid, Mo., during March and April 1862. After the evacuation of New Madrid on 7 April she and CSS Maurepas were sent up the White River into Arkansas.
On 17 June 1862 Pontchartrain cooperated with the army in a hard fought battle at St. Charles, Ark. During the engagement two of her 32-pounder rifled guns were transferred to the fort; Lieutenant Dunnington and his men joined the army in its defense and were among the prisoners taken.
Pontchartrain moved farther up the river and remained inactive until the following summer when she was burned to prevent capture, 9 October 1863, at or near Little Rock.
