Conestoga's first combat action took place in September 1861, when she engaged
CSS Jackson near
Lucas Bend, Kentucky. Other skirmishes punctuated the routine of river patrol service into 1862. In February, she participated in an expedition up the
Tennessee River that led to the capture of Forts
Henry and
Donelson. Later in the month, she saw action at
Columbus, Kentucky, a Confederate strongpoint on the
Mississippi River. During the rest of her service,
Conestoga continued to operate along the rivers. She took part in the bombardment of
Saint Charles, Arkansas, in June 1862 and was formally transferred to the navy in October of that year. In April and July 1863, she was involved in expeditions to
Palmyra, Tennessee, and up the
Red River, Louisiana. The following March, she went up Louisiana's Black and
Ouachita Rivers. Soon after, on 8 March 1864, USS
Conestoga was sunk in a collision with
USS General Price. ==References==