I am glad that our minds seem to meet about Van Dorn;s intentions. I have often wondered if he really wanted to join a Confederate concentration when he would have arived as a recently defeated army commander.
I was also fascinated by your responce about my query as to Van Dorn#s removals from Arkansas, and if ever I quote it I will make acknowledgement.
One very slight issue arises. Accepting that Van Dorn moved machinery from the Little Rock Arsenal, and accepting that his troops took the arms and equipment that had been supplied to them, did he take much else? To put it another way, was there that much to take in the way of arms, equipment, machinery, and supplies?
Arkansas was always short of essential items, but Hindman did find some arms, equipment etc. to serve his purposes - especially powder-making and telegraphic equipment.
I do not question that Van Dorn took some things - I do question the extent Currently I suspect that the case against him on thus matter is overstated - not least by Hindman.
I will be most interested on any views that you may have on that aspect of the matter.
Tony Brown