The "Blue Wing" had been a small steamboat which had travel the Arkansas and White River. It had been captured and pressed into Union service as a supply boat for the Union Navy between Memphis and Vicksburg.

It was a common practise for the Confederates to send sections or battery to the Mississippi to interdict these supply ship going to Vicksburg. In this case The "Blue Wing" had been ferrying two barges of coal along with a supply of artillery amunitions onboard south to the Union Navy when it was captured by appearently Lt. Tillers detachment.

The "Blue Wing" was first taken to Arkansas Post and then up the White River where it was again recaptured on the White River by the Union Navy during the Arkansas Post expedition, Jan 9th-17th, 1863.

Afterwards, during the Union inquiry into the Blue Wing incident, it was strongly suspected that the Confederate capture of that boat had been the product of its Captain who was thought to had southern intentions.

While many think that the "Blue Wing Incident" was the reason for the Arkansas Post expedition, it was not. There had been a lot of concern among the Union Higher Command about the need to eliminate the growing threat of Arkansas Post. AAt least two other attempts had been made in late 1862 to attack Arkansas Post in last 1862. One in November 1862 by forces under Gen. Curtis overland from Helena.

Arkansas Post was seen as a threat to the supply convoys on the Mississippi River, It established a protected deep water haven to reestablish communications across the Mississippi and for attacking these convoys both by land and by water. (I.E. the Css. Ponchartrain). The Blue Wing incident was simply the trigger for a unilateral action taken against the Union high commands (Grant) instructions.