As requested, I responded to the private e-mail address, but for others who might be interested in the response, it's posted here, as follows:

I'm not sure how far "west" you want to come, but if you're going to Memphis, you might as well spend another four or five days out here, right?

We are working on a Civil War Heritage Trail for northeastern Oklahoma, northwestern Arkansas, southwestern Missouri, and southeastern Kansas. The chief research historian at Fort Scott National Historic Site has given us a list of 51 sites, museums, or towns to visit. But rather than include the whole list, which goes far and wide from the 4-state corner, I'll highlight the sites that are "in a loop":

MISSOURI
Battle of Westport (near Kansas City, driving tour including Byram's Ford)
Greenwood Cemetery (final resting place of Joe Shelby)
Steamboat Arabia Museum (sunk in 1858 with boat and thousands of artifacts recovered in 1960s)
Island Mound Battlefield (near Butler, Mo.)
Battle of Carthage (Missouri State Park)
WILSON'S CREEK NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD (near Republic)
General Sweeny's Museum (Republic; private, but well worth it!)
Springfield National Cemetery
Newtonia Battlefield (near Neosho, Mo.)

ARKANSAS
Battle of Cane Hill (undeveloped site)
PEA RIDGE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
Fayetteville National Cemetery
Prairie Grove Battlefield Park (state)
Town of Van Buren, Ark. (three battles)
FORT SMITH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

INDIAN TERRITORY (Oklahoma)
Honey Springs Battlefield (state historic site)
Fort Gibson National Historic Landmark (state historic site)
Fort Gibson National Cemetery
George Murrell House National Historic Landmark (state historic site)
Battles of Cabin Creek (undeveloped state historic site)

These three are "out of the loop" but operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society, so I HAVE to list them: Fort Washita National Historic Landmark; Fort Towson Historic Site; Atoka Confederate Museum & Cemetery

KANSAS
Baxter Springs Cemetery "National Soldiers Plot"
FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Fort Scott National Cemetery
Mine Creek Battlefield (state historic site)
U. S. Army Frontier Museum & Driving Tour, Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery
African American Cultural Center (Leavenworth, Ks.)

I hope to see you, if not on this trip, then next year's trip!

Sincerely yours,

Ralph W. Jones, Superintendent
Honey Springs Battlefield
Oklahoma Historical Society

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If any others need to be added to the list our committee will certainly appreciate notification! Please address mail to ralphjones@ok-history.mus.ok.us

Thanks!!!