At the start of this conflict, Lovell worked on the city street commission, however, he resigned to become an officer in the Confederate army. Appointed major general in October 1861, he took command of the defenses of New Orleans and helped create the Confederate River Defense Fleet. He was assigned to the command of an infantry division at the Battle of Corinth, however, he failed to distinguish himself as a leader. He was relieved of command for the loss of New Orleans. Lovell requested a court of inquiry, which met in April 1863. Although the court found his innocent of the charges of incompetence, he was not given any assignments for the rest of the Civil War.
