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.

From September 13 to 15, 1862, the 13th Connecticut, 12th Maine, and 26th Massachusetts conducted an Expedition to Pass Manchac and Ponchatoula led by Maj. George C. Strong against the 10th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, 9th Louisiana Infantry Regiment, Company D, also known as Caruther's Sharpshooters, and Confederate Home Guard under the command of Brig.

The Union's objective of destroying the Manchac railroad, along with 20 train carriages and the bridge over the Ponchatoula River, was a success.

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 was a hard jaunt and well nigh cost us all imprisonment … many more die of sickness than of bullets from the enemy …"[2] In early 1863, a new expedition was sent once again to Ponchatoula.

[4] A reconnaissance mission was ordered of Manchac Pass on the New Orleans, Jackson, & Greater Northern Railroad where it crossed at Jones Island.

Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks issued orders to Col. Thomas S. Clark of the 6th Michigan to proceed to Manchac Pass.

On March 21, 1863, Clark's 6th Michigan expedition left Camp Parapet and proceeded along the New Orleans, Jackson, and Greater Northern Railroad.

[6] 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.

On March 24, 1863, the Savary and its schooners in tow were set free and proceeded north on the Tickfaw River.

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 without, bringing all sorts of bundles, and eagerly dividing the spoils.

Miller acknowledged Pemberton's letter at 5 a.m. Citizens, who freely passed between the battle lines, brought reports that Confederate trains were bringing troops to Hammond, Louisiana.

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 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 …"[12] On March 31, Col. Smith with a flag of truce met with Col. Miller regarding the return of stolen objects.

A large number of Indian soldiers deserted the 1st Choctaw Battalion when they were not paid for their services.

[14] On the morning of May 12, 1863, Read's men captured a number of prisoners, including some members from the disbanded 1st Choctaw Battalion.