The criticism of Van Dorn is, I think, mainly directed at his lack of concern for his district. It is true that he was subordinate to Johnston and subject to his orders, but Van Dorn essentially abandoned the division he was responsible for. He took with him just about all the troops, guns, munitions and quartermaster supplies in the State. The only thing he left behind was the horses of the mounted regiments. It almost appears as if Van Dorn had no intention of coming back.

Other Confederate district and department commanders throughout the war cooperated with neighboring commanders by sending troops when they could, but, even when subordinate to the neighbor, they protested mightily about the adverse effect on their districts/departments. The classic example, I suppose, is Kirby Smith.

When Van Dorn left his district to go to Corinth, he appears, from the official records to have dismissed the District of Arkansas from his mind. Not one word of protest or caution, no recommendations to the Governor of Arkansas about providing for his own defense, nothing.

I think Van Dorn saw the Mississippi movement as an opportunity to play in the major league. A good, if not brilliant, cavalry commander in the field; but the last person you'd give a district command to. But, he was, at the time, one of Jeff Davis' fair-haired boys.