Alan,
At about that point in time, there seems to have been at least two dynamics at play involving troops from the Trans Mississippi Department wanted as reinforcements across the Mississippi river.
In a separate post, I will add my two cents about the seven regiments wanted for Virginia [at first], and then later for Vicksburg.
But for this post, I will try and offer my take on the phantom10,000 troops [or even the more far fetched number of 20,000], that Johnston seemed to have thought was available, or even enroute. I can’t imagine how Johnston got this thought in his mind, unless, perhaps, he was trying to embellish his narrative. Or, unless there is correspondence on the subject that I have yet to see.
How ironic that Johnston would be deceived by strength reports at the War Department. Later, as we know, he seemed less than forthcoming while reporting his own numbers both during the Vicksburg relief effort and the Atlanta campaign. Maybe this is when he learned it might be better to fudge strength reports on the low side.
In the same book that you cite, a few pages back, Johnston refers to reporting for duty at the war office on Nov. 12. It was then that he apparently discussed the strategic situation with Secretary of War Randolph. It would seem that both men were laboring under incorrect information as to the real manpower situation in the Trans Mississippi.
Johnston says “Holmes had a large army, supposed to amount to 55,000…”
However the Official Records, and other sources, indicate a different picture of manpower, equipment, training and morale for the districts comprising this Department..
On December 19, Gen Magruder tells Gen Holmes of his forces in Texas.
I have just received your letter* of the — instant, stating that Sibley’s brigade had been ordered opposite Vicksburg…
I will send return of troops next mail, and will state now from memory the following, on which 1 think General Holmes can rely: In Texas, number of troops organized and for duty 8,000 men, which includes Sibley’s brigade and excludes Baylor’s troops, now being organized. Of these latter there are about 1,500 men, of which three companies only are armed. Of Sibley’s brigade only about 1,200 men are armed, and they indifferently. There are not more than 6,000 men armed at all in Texas. There ought to be that number alone on the Rio Grande….
…I beg therefore that the order alluded to by you for these troops to proceed to Vicksburg be countermanded. Of course I shall facilitate the movement toward Vicksburg in every way in my power unless I receive different orders from General Holmes, who of course knows that General Banks is about to sail with a large force for Texas.
And, in the Louisiana district, recently taken under command by Richard Taylor, we find the following strength estimate.
By October, [after intense conscripting for several weeks] Taylor reported a total force of 5840, including volunteers, state militia, partisan rangers and new conscripts.
Richard Taylor Soldier Prince of Dixie by T. Michael Parrish
And, in the District of Arkansas, the Official Records tells us the following:
Abstract from Return of Troops in the District of Arkansas, September 17, 1862 (headquarters Little Rock, Ark).
Total... Officers 1,219 Men 20,875 Aggregate 27,614
But, Holmes subsequently warns that these are raw troops, many of whom are unarmed, unequipped and totally untrained.
HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT,
Little Rock, Ark., October 26, 1862. (Received November 14.)
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General:
GENERAL: On my arrival here I found a strong feeling of discontent toward the Government, consequent on the withdrawal of the all the troops to the east of the Mississippi and the absolute abandonment of the State; and though it was materially softened by the energy and industry of General Hindman in organizing regiments after his arrival in June, still the sore is too green and the necessity for all the troops that are here too apparent not to make withdrawal of seven regiments most painfully felt….
I inclose a list* of brigades and divisions, which make a very respectable show on paper, but with the exception of McCulloch's division and McRae's brigade, which are partially drilled, they are a crude mass of undisciplined material 7,000 of whom are without arms of any kind, and a large part of the remainder have only the shot-guns and rifles of the country. You will readily see that it is only the moral force of numbers, whose condition is carefully concealed, that has kept the enemy in check….
On October 27, Secretary of War Randolph wrote Holmes: You must cooperate with Pemberton and when necessary you can cross to east side of river
Davis did not agree with Randolph taking it upon himself to urge Holmes to go to Vicksburg with Trans Mississippi troops, and the resulting squabble saw Randolph vacate his cabinet seat.
Davis wrote Randolph, His presence on the west side is not less necessary now than heretofore, and will probably soon be more so.
The co-operation designed by me was in co-intelligent action on both sides of the river of such detachment of troops as circumstances might require and warrant. The withdrawal of the commander form the Trans-Mississippi Department for temporary duty elsewhere would have a disastrous effect, and was not contemplated by me. It was rather hoped that he would be able to retake Helena, which would greatly contribute to the security of the country below, both in and out of Arkansas.
Meanwhile, far from being able to detach 10,000 or 20,000 men, Holmes is himself asking for a few experienced troops from the depleted contingent of troops previously sent from Arkansas to Mississippi in April. Holmes wanted a few of these skeleton regiments as a veteran cadre for his green troops.
LITTLE ROCK, ARK., Via Monroe and Montgomery, Ala., November 2, 1862.
General S. COOPER: Cannot you send me the skeleton Arkansas regiments east of the Mississippi? T. H. HOLMES
This might be the correspondence that gave Johnston the unrealistic impression of troops thought to be available from Holmes:
Richmond, November 11, 1862. S. COOPER to Lieutenant General T. H. HOLMES,
The President directs me to say that if the state of your command will enable you to do so, he thinks it advisable that you should throw reinforcements, say to the extent of 10,000 men, across the river at Vicksburg, to aid General Pemberton. With such assistance he might drive the enemy from West Tennessee and regain possession of such commanding points on the Mississippi River as would greatly aid you in preventing the descent of boats to pass up the rives of Arkansas. With Fort Pillow, Memphis, Helena, Vicksburg, and Port Hudson properly fortified and armed the President would see much more clear the way of future operations in Missouri and Kentucky.
The detachment referred to is intended to be temporary, and to be restored to you upon a change of circumstances. In the mean time you will not fail to perceive that in maintaining the connection of your department with the East it will be rendering you a service than which none can be more important.
Strange that Johnston [and the War Office] would be under the impression that troops were enroute from Holmes’ department to aid Pemberton, when Holmes was messaging:
HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, Little Rock, Ark., November 15, 1862. (Received December 15, 1862.) …Your letter by Colonel Tappan has just been received, and I greatly fear that it is my painful duty to disappoint your expectations relative to my ability to co-operate with the army east of the Mississippi. If I am able to protect Arkansas against the enemy now on her border I shall think myself fortunate. …….
RICHMOND, November 19, 1862.
Lieutenant General T. H. HOLMES, Little Rock, Ark., via Vicksburg, Miss.:
Vicksburg is threatened and requires to be re-enforced. Can you send troops from your command-say 10,000-to operate either opposite to Vicksburg or to cross the river? It is conceded here that this movement will greatly add to the defense of Arkansas. S. COOPER,
LITTLE ROCK, November 22, 1862. (Received November 26, 1862.)
General S. COOPER: I could not get to Vicksburg in less than two weeks. There is nothing to subsist on between here and there, and the army at Helena would come to Little Rock before I reached Vicksburg. T. H. HOLMES
As to which two divisions General Johnston may have been referring to, here is the organization of the 2nd Corps [infantry only] in December:
Vol 22 Part 1, pp 903-04
SECOND CORPS.
FIRST DIVISION Brig. Gen. HENRY E. McCULLOCH.
[3 Texas brigades]
SECOND DIVISION. Brig. Gen. T. J. CHURCHILL.
[3 brigades-Arkansas Post command]
The infantry of the 1st corps organization as announced in late November was:
First div-BGen Roan
2nd Bgde- Bradfute
1. Alexander Tex regt
2. Stevens Tex regt
3. Bass Tex regt
4. Hawpe Tex regt
2nd Div-Shoup
1st Bgde-Fagan
Pleasants
Brooks
Kings
Hawthorns
Blocker btry
2nd Bgde-Col McRae
McRae
Morgan
Matlock
McNeill
Woodruff and West btrys
Frost Division
1st brig Parsons
Steen Mo regt
Hunter
Caldwell
White
Tilden Mo btry
2nd Bgde-Shaver
Shaver
Shaler
Grinstead
Adams
Roberts Mo btry
Of course, Hindman’s 1st Corps was very much disorganized, dispersed and demoralized after the battle at Prairie Grove on December 7th.
Sure doesn't seem like there are any 10,000 man divisions available in that organization.
So, in my opinion, I just don’t see how Holmes could have conceivably come up with 10,000 or 20,000 troops to detach for the aid of Pemberton, without virtually stripping Arkansas. And, the political climate in Arkansas was certainly not very conducive to having that state emptied of troops for the second time since April.