After Pea Ridge, Van Dorn's army slowly straggled south to the Arkansas River near Van Buren and Frog Bayou. On March 23rd, Johnston ordered Van Dorn to "Move your command to Memphis by the route in your judgement the best and most expeditious, and on arriving report to these headquarters. Require such and whatever transportation you may need on your route from the quartermaster at Memphis." [O. R. Vol. 10, Part 2, p. 354] From Frog Bayou the units marched to Des Arc, taking at least two weeks in transit. Steamboats were sent to Des Arc and carried the men to Memphis. At the same time, Van Dorn was in Little Rock where, on March 25th, he ordered General Rust to assume command in Arkansas. [O. R. vol. 8, p. 281]