Bryan

I was aware from the OR's that there had been attempts to move against Claradon and St Charles from August '62 on by Curtis.

I was also aware from the same source that there were at least two attempts, one in November '62 and another in December, to move against Fort Hindman, by Curtis, overland from Helena, before it could be finished.

But I was not aware of all the details, nor the attempt to coordinate these effort, appearently in December, with a naval assualt at that time.

Sort of deflates the idea put forward by others that the attack on Fort Hindman and Arkansas Post on January 10th, '63 could have been an unexpected attack on the part of the Confederates, or a spur of the moment attack on the part of the Federals. It also makes you wonder what part Grant actually played in this? If he was opposed to this assualt on Fort Hindman, it certain would appear that Gen'l Gorman and his higher commanders were well into attempting to reduce Fort Hindman before January 1863.