We need to find a copy of General Churchill's 1st Telegram to General Holmes.

General Churchill says in his Report..."On the morning of January 9th.I was informed by my pickets stationed at the mouth of the cut-off that the enemy,with his gunboats followed by his fleet of seventy or eighty transports were passing into the Arkansas River.It now became apparent that their object was to attack the Arkansas Post."

"January 8th.In camp 5 miles west of Pine Bluff.REMAINED at this camp till morning of January 11th when took up line of march to reinforce General Churchill's command,distance about 55 miles."

"The Campaigns of Walker's Texas Division" by J.P.Blessington. Page 68.

The great question is: WHAT did general Churchill know and WHEN did he know it?

MWT