Makes perfect sense. Still it seemed to Shelby, in letters and orders written to Adams, McCray and others that they were doing good works but they were under tremendous pressure. Given Shelby's logistical situation he was forced to allow a number of regiments to furlough their men to harvest much needed grain for both his commands and their dependents. Basically what you are saying is that everything going on in and around the White river country was nothing but side shows, which it was. Someone with some serious authority and strategic insight, on either side, could have done much more.