Terry

You must understand the unusually situation in Arkansas at this period in time. There was no organized Confederate Army in Arkansas, Gen Earl Van Dorn had abandoned Arkansas and taken the only Confederate army in Arkansas, along with all supplies and equipment including the machinery from the Little Rock Arsenal to Mississippi in April. Hindman was fighting with a pieced together force of what ever he had, While trying to reorganize a viable confederate force from the recently assembled Conscripts. And used every tool he could find including Misinformation and false communication to mislead the federals and make them think they were facing a stronger confederate force than they were. His main weapon was to bluff the enemy to keep them from marching straight into Little Rock in June of 1862 and capturing in then. The naval men at St Charles were the best trained men in the State of Arkansas on the use of those weapons.

And Yes Hindman did use Dunnington and his men to man the heavy guns on land not only at St. Charles, but also at Arkansas Post 6 months later. In fact Dunnington held dual command as a lieuteant in the Confederate navy and as a Colonel in the Army in command of an Infantry Brigade, at Fort Hindman.

Below is a reply that I recieved from a fellow researcher on the subject of the Ponchartrain being burnt at Little Rock on September 10th ,1863.

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Dear Doyle

No specific article that I know of, but a number of contemporary accounts mention the burning of several steamboats near the landing as the town was evacuated.

The main steamboat landing was at the foot of Commerce Street, where the River Market building and the little pyramidal amphitheater stand today. Ponchartrain was stranded on the north (NLR/Huntersville) bank of the river, across from the foot of Bird Street, about where the Clinton Library is going up. I have been unable to find any mention of salvage, so presumably some of the metal parts may still be down there in the silt somewhere.

From Steele's report to the Department Commander on Sept. 12:
"The rebels had fired three pontoon bridges laid across the Arkansas at the city, and several railroad cars. Two locomotives were also on fire, but were saved by us; part of the pontoons were also saved. Six steamboats were entirely destroyed by fire, and we are informed that Price intended to have blown up the arsenal, but was pressed so close that he failed in this.

From MAJ W.E. Woodruff's memories of the day:
After the withdrawal of the army from Little Rock, I hurried to my home on East Ninth street, and told my people good bye, loaded my impedimenta and some grub on my horse and with Woodson, my volunteer servant on a mule, and with the Emzy Wilson mare and her fine colt, started for the South and "Independence." A great smoke appeared to the northwest of town when I got to Rector avenue. The enemy's skirmishers behind were arrived at the Hanger place. Fearful the town was being fired, I went down to Markham and Main streets corner, and discovered that the smoke was caused by the burning of the gun boat Ponchartrain, (once the old fast Louisville and New Orleans liner, Lizzie Simmons), across the river, and Captain Jenks Brown's boat, Little Rock, at the south bank of the river just northeast of the State House. Both were totally destroyed. Satisfied there was little danger of destruction to the town, I made for the southern road, stopping at Mr. Tucker's at Second and Spring streets, to compliment him on his fine soldierly qualities as manifested in the past few days, and deplore his loss of a chance to fight, say good bye and take a cool drink, then South for any port.

Musician Andrew Sperry of the 33rd Iowa Infantry:
"All the afternoon, smoke had been seen ascending from the direction of the city. As darkness came on, and we drew near the place, the fires were more distinct. The rebels were burning their cars and steam-boats, and some government buildings. An iron-clad gun-boat had ascended the river some months before, and the fall of the water had left it high and dry on the sand. It was now but a shapeless mass of burning ruins. The wooden pontoon-bridge, however, General Price had not time to destroy, though he made a hasty attempt to do so.

Private James Loughney, Co. G, 28th Wisconsin:
"In Camp opposite Little Rock.
N. Side Ark. Riv. Friday Sept. 11, 1863
Last evening we roasted a few sweet potatoes & cooked some tea & ate quite a supper. Bastin went on Picket but soon returned & Church we left at Brownsville we had a good sleep. we see with joy our flag float over the town in triumph. I like the country about here very well & the site of the town seems pretty & dry with plenty of Native shade trees. I was down at the Riv. This A.M. & had a good wash. The water is very shallow, about 3 1/2 to 5 ft. a few boats lie on the bed of the river. & the Ruins of a vast gun boat is yet burning. Here is a good lot of rail Road Iron lying as if it had been used for coating many shot & shell lie scattered about her guns were removed. The Cav. is said to be following Price, who is said to be retreating to the S.W."

CPT Thomas Stevens, Co. C, 28th Wisconsin:
"Camp 28th Wis.
Little Rock, Ark., Sept. 11, 1863.

Another is added to the list of victories for the Union. We left our camp at 9 45 yesterday morning for this place, expecting to go into a fight before noon, as we could hear cannonading in advance even then. As we moved forward the artillery seemed to do the same. A division of infantry was in advance of us, as well as the cavalry & most of the artillery. A part of the cavalry crossed the river 7 miles below here, as well as a part of the artillery. They were attacked & lost some men, but repulsed the enemy.
The rebels had their most extensive fortifications on the left bank of the river, expecting we would attempt to do the fighting here; but they made a slight mistake in their calculations. We bridged the river, upon learning which they took all the guns from the batteries on the left bank & crossed the river, leaving us free to come in on this side, with nothing to annoy us but the batteries across the river. Our reg't was so far in the rear that we saw nothing scarcely of the fight, & stood in no danger from the rebs. We camped at an hour after dark, opposite the city, Price & Co having skedaddled. What the loss is upon either side I cannot learn, though it cannot be large. I have seen but one wounded man, & he was accidentally shot in his own regiment. We left our train behind us; it will be up with us today probably. Our sick from Brownville are also expected today. We expected a severe engagement, but we have easily taken the capital of the State of Arkansas. The rebels burnt a train of cars, an iron clad gun boat, and several buildings &c. There are two engines & several platform cars left — also 2 small steamboats which will be useful when the water in the river is higher. It is very low now. A man or a horse can wade it."

Hope this helps...

Tom Ezell
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These are the accounts that I was trying to recall