As you suggest it does appear that the federal navy did have serious concerns about the C.S.S.Ponchartrain:

U. S. STEAM-RAM MONARCH,

Off Arkansas Post, Ark., January 12, 1863.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report to you that on the 9th instant I ascended the Arkansas River in the Monarch, accompanying, by Admiral Porter's order, the naval expedition against Fort Hindman.

During the attack upon the fort on the 11th instant the Monarch was held immediately in rear of the iron-clads, with instructions to take the lead if a rebel ram appeared.

Just before the surrender of the enemy I received orders to pass the fort and cut off the retreat of the enemy. This was done; and I kept on up the river for 12 miles. The water then became so shallow a to render it impossible to proceed farther. The Monarch got aground four times as it was. I was consequently compelled to return, to my great regret, as I understood from a prisoner we captured on the way that there was a ferry some 6 miles farther up, where the fleeing rebels would be able to cross. I notified the commander of the light-draught gunboats of this fact on my return, but am unaware whether any steps were taken to destroy the ferry.

I reported verbally to Admiral Porter the result of the expedition. Though I have no positive information to that effect, I think the passage of the Monarch must have caused a considerable number of the enemy to fall into the hands of our army. We shelled the woods on our right-hand side as we went up, and at several points saw numbers of the rebels retreating from the banks of the river.

Very respectfully,

CHARLES RIVERS ELLET,

Colonel, Commanding Ram Fleet.

Brigadier

"A second reason was the need to protect the corn crop of the lower Arkansas River Valley"

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Steamer Tigress, Arkansas Post, Ark., January 16, 1863.

COLONEL: On the 14th instant I sent up W. Turrell, with 100 men of the Twenty-sixth Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, on transport Luzerne and a barge, with instructions to take on board a large lot of corn (4,800 bushels) at the port of South Bend, with orders if it could not be got on the boars to fire it. It was found necessary to burn it, and just as it was fired the boat was attacked by guerrillas that had followed the boat for some distance. The lines were cut and the boat dropped out and started for this place, followed by these outlaws for several miles, firing into the boat at several points. A few men were slightly wounded; none killed.

On the 15th I sent up Colonel Stewart to retaliate and destroy the corn in that vicinity that had been collected for the use of rebel army. How well he executed his orders you will see from his report, herewith inclosed.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. MCCLERNAND,

Major-General, Commanding.

Lieutenant

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Steamer Tigress, Arkansas Post, Ark., January 16, 1863.

MAJOR: On the 14th instant I received orders to take one regiment of infantry and one gunboat and ascend the Arkansas River to the place where the steamer Luzerne had been fired into by rebel partisans on that day. At 8 a.m. I went on board the steamer Omaha, on which was the Fifty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Mungen, and started up the river, but found that no gunboat had reported,a nd I then descended to the flag-ship and found the gunboat there in waiting. I then at 10 a.m. advanced, and at 3 p.m. was at South Bend. Here I burned 7,800 bushels of corn, and sent a detachment out south 2 miles and burned 22,500 more bushels of corn and about 50 hides. At Clay's place I captured 50 sheep, 6 mules, 50 hides, 1 bell, and other property contraband of war, and, in compliance with your orders, burned the dwelling and storehouse owned by rebels in arms near the place of attack by guerrillas the day before, and left the following notice for the inhabitants of that vicinity:

People of Arkansas:

I am sent up this river to take possession of Confederate property. Yesterday you fired into our transports. You have been repeatedly warned by us, and, I believe, by your own authorities, to desist from this mode of warfare. All engaged in this infamous practice are recognized by both sides as assassins. You citizens along the banks of the river are know to have been engaged with the party that attacked our transports yesterday. To-day I have burned one of your mansions. If you repeat your useless but assassin-like attacks I will devastate this entire country.

By order:

W. STEWART,

Colonel, Commanding.

"The fog of war"

I agree...deep in "Reb Country" the federals would not have known the strength or intent of troops gathering in their vicinity and may possibly have been "spooked out" if the Garrison had held out just a little longer.

I have one question Doyle.Can you find that 1st Telegram General Churchill sent to General Holmes on or about January 9,1863 informing him of the federals intent of attacking his position.

Thanks,

MWT