My own opinion is that the assault on Arkansas Post was a surprise to all concerned. In fact, not even Gen. U. S. Grant was consulted about it. Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand assumed command of U.S. forces that were being positioned for a campaign against Vicksburg, but instead of attacking Vicksburg, he decided to attack Fort Hindman (Arkansas Post). Ostensibly, his rationale for this surprise action was his concern that Fort Hindman could serve as a base for Confederate gunboats, which could threaten the proposed Vicksburg operation. When Grant learned of this operation, he ordered McClernand to withdraw back to Vicksburg to support operations there. By then, however, the operation had already successfully concluded.

Thus, my opinion that McClernand's operation caught everyone by surprise. That being said, however, the attack on Fort Hindman was poorly coordinated and fell behind schedule. Maj. Gen. Frederick Steele's division took a wrong turn and got lost in the swamps. When the Confederate pickets were finally driven in on the morning of January 10, 1863, word was sent to the 24th Arkansas Regiment, posted at St. Charles, to double-time to the relief of the fort. They arrived just in time to be snared when the garrison surrendered.

If the white flags had not been prematurely raised, could the garrison have held out until additional reinforcements could be brought in? That would make a very interesting discussion thread for this board for folks a whole more knowledgeable about this event than I.

Bryan