" No good Roads"?
In 1860/61 rivers were the best way to travel long distance. The 9th Arkansas was recruited at Pine Bluff, Arkansas which was a major recruiting center and also some what of the upstart center of the secession movement in Arkansas. besides the Arkansas River there was also the Ouachita river which was navigable past Camden, Arkansas and there existed very good stage and telegraph roads between Camden and Pine Bluff. The 9th Arkansas Camp at Pine Bluff was on that road.