Steele's Camden Expedition

[nbforrest]

I pose the question:

Was Kirby Smith right to send his infantry to turn back Steele?

I think Smith made the right choice once Banks was turned back. Mansfield and Pleasant Hill both scared Banks enough that Taylor could handle him. I doubt that Banks could have been destroyed with the infantry present, as tantalizing as the Monett's Ferry scenario is. Supposing Smith kept his infantry to chase Banks, it is not impossible to believe that Steele could have made it to Shreveport, albeit in a very hungry state. But I doubt that Smith would have still kept all of his infantry after Banks once Shreveport was threatened. I think Steele could have been kept out of Shreveport with a division or two.

[r_moody]

When armies are split like that it is IMO better to be safe than surrounded. By sending the infantry to push back Steele they were playing it safe as Banks was already in survival mode. To have any chance of victory in the trans-mississippi they should have joined up before they started as the area could not be foraged. Banks was unprepared because he did not have a solid logistical system in place.

Rick

[nbforrest]

Certainly Smith was out to dispatch the threat posed by Steele after Banks was put on the run after Pleasant Hill. Jenkins Ferry was rather poorly handled, but the Confederate response did succeed in its purpose. I seriously doubt that even Taylor could have pulled off a Cannae against Banks at Monett's Ferry. Smith was not a great general, but I think he made the right choice.

[ole]

Originally Posted by nbforrest

Certainly Smith was out to dispatch the threat posed by Steele after Banks was put on the run after Pleasant Hill. Jenkins Ferry was rather poorly handled, but the Confederate response did succeed in its purpose. I seriously doubt that even Taylor could have pulled off a Cannae against Banks at Monett's Ferry. Smith was not a great general, but I think he made the right choice.

Did I welcome you aboard? If so. I repeat. If not, welcome aboard.
Ole

[nbforrest]

Thank you kindly. This seems like quite a good board.

[r_moody]

An interesting bit is that Sherman wanted to invade Little Rock after the fall of Arkansas Post because the Arkansas River was high at the time. The goal was to force all of the scattered bands of Confederate infantry and cavalry south of the river for protection from the Union army. The river would have become the logistical vein they needed for success. McClernand would not go along with the idea without orders from Grant. Instead they boarded transports and went back to Napoleon and then back to Milliken’s Bend.
The assault on Vicksburg was to begin in earnest.

Rick

[ole]

Originally Posted by nbforrest

Thank you kindly. This seems like quite a good board.

Quite good? Son, this is the best gol' dang site there is. We quarrel among ourselves like family and, in the process, confess to learning something now and then. So. If you get backhanded now and then, it's part of the process. Nothing serious. Throw a punch now and then if you'd like. I should warn you however, that people punch back.

That being said, this is a very nice board and people are encouraged to play nice and are sometimes spanked or given time outs. It's to be expected. Tempers, matches and gunpowder lie around in profusion. It's beyond human to expect no flares. All in all, however, this is the best gol' dang site there is. And you are most sincerely welcome here.

Ole

[1st Arkansas]

I am engaged in research regarding the routes used during the Camden Expedition. Particularly, the routes taken by Wilson, Parsons, Churchill, Smith, and Price from Shreveport, through Calhoun and Magnolia, on to Camden. Is anyone aware of maps that locate these routes? They were known as the Minden Road, Shongaloo Road, and Wire or Telegraph Road. I am hoping to pinpoint the exact location of Smith's encampment near Calhoun. Thanks!

[nbforrest]

I think Ed Bearss' book on the expedition has a period map of the area, or at least it does on the cover I recall. You might check there to see if the roads are marked on there.