One has to wonder if Van Dorns actions of stripping the Trans Mississippi of its entire fighting ability did not lose the control of the Mississippi River to the North.

From my studies it would seem that the armies in the TM were always behind the 8-ball so to speak after that. Always having to look here and there for equipment and supplies to make up for their shortcommings. Fighting with Richmond as much as with the Yankees.

Had an effective Army been in Arkansas in May of 1862, could Curtis have been able to march to Helena in July of '62? Would the inability to supply his army given the Confederates the ability to defeat Curtis in North Arkansas and then advance into southeast Missouri as they would have like to have done and tryed to do with Maradukes '62 Missouri expedition?

All speculation, but if an army had been able to march north on the west side of the Mississippi would Grant have had to send reenforcements from his army to stop such an army making his Army in Tennessee weaker and maybe open to defeat of that army by Beauregard and Bragg?