He may very well have received his mortal wound some days ahead of his death.
BGen. D. C. Buell in his report of February 19, 1862 notes:
"Fort Thompson, he says, is now garrisoned with two small Arkansas infantry regiments, in all about 1,000 men, and 400 cavalry, commanded by Major Saul [M.] Kitchen [15th Arkansas Inf. {NW}], and that the armament is five columbiads, commanding the approach by the river from above, and a battery of six field pieces, sweeping the roads leading from the northwest." OR V7, p. 942