It appears to me that a detachment of Watie's Brigade was north of the Arkansas and/or in the vicinity of Ft Smith. I'm still searching for more conclusive evidence. The reports are almost entirely Union reports from citizens, prisoners, deserters, and spies and are at best 'questionable'. Thayer at Ft Smith and Wattles at Ft Gibson were pretty much in the dark about the location, size, and movements of anyone -- Union or Confederate -- and naturally were extremely cautious. The majority of Cooper's Indian Division was furloughed (or AWOL) at the time. Cooper's HQ were at/near Sulfur Springs/Little Boggy (near present Stringtown OK).

CONFEDERATE REPORT

Nov 8, 1864
Maxey to Smith, ORs S1, V41, P4, Pg 1037

" I neglected to say that there is a detachment of the Indian division about
800 strong on a move north of the Arkansas River."

It seems most likely this would have been from the two Cherokee regiments -- the best armed, supplied, and reliable of the Indian Division -- operating in their own country. These regiments included quite a few whites from in and around NW Arkansas.

UNION REPORTS

Oct. 24, 1864
Thayer at Ft Smith to Jennison at Ft Scott, OR S1, V41, P4, Pg. 218

"Col. Wattles [at Ft Gibson] informs me that his Indians have reported to him that
a large force of Cooper's command, with artillery, had crossed the Arkansas forty
miles above Fort Gibson."

Oct. 24th
Burch at Neosho MO to Brutshce, ibid Pg. 226

"The rebels appear as though they expect Stand Watie
up soon, but I think it is very uncertain when he comes. I will be
informed of his approach in time to make ready for him."

Oct. 24th
F. Steele to Canby, ibid Pg 247

"He [Thayer at Ft Smith] is constantly
threatened by a force estimated at 8,000, under Gen. Gano. He
had about forty days' rations; had received none by way of Fort Scott,
and depends upon this depot for his next supplies. It is my opinion that
Price will return south by way of the Indian country, and will attack
Fort Smith"

This was based on an estimate by Thayer on Oct. 15th of the total numerical strength of Maxey's troops in Indian Territory and independent organizations in northwest Arkansas. He estimated Cooper's Indian Division at about 4,000 and Gano at about 3,000. The numbers aren't completely unreasonable except that only about half that number could be armed, mounted, supplied, and put in the field. Thayer was repeatedly told by spies, prisoners, and deserters that Maxey wanted to take Ft Smith and that Watie wanted to invade Kansas. Since Thayer was unsure of where Cooper and Gano were located, he had to be cautious and anticipate attack by Cooper/Gano, especially if joined by Price's retreating army.

Oct 27th
Thayer to Wattles, ibid Pg 271

"I am anxious
to know if a force crossed above you as you reported several days ago.
Send a messenger immediately informing me on this point."

again on the same day...

"In one of your dispatches some days ago, you
stated that your refugee Indians reported a large force of the enemy had
crossed the Arkansas forty miles above you, but in your subsequent
dispatches made no mention of it, and do not state whether it was
correct or not. Have you learned anything since in regard to it?"

Oct. 29th
F.Steele to Thayer

"If Price should return in the direction of your outposts, draw them into
Fort Smith with all the public property possible."

Nov. 1st
Sanborn to Roscrans, ibid Pg 393

"Col. Harrison had
some fighting at Fayetteville on the 28th, and was successful. He thinks
the enemy are moving some troops up through the mountains from the
Arkansas River. Cooper and Stand Watie have had but 1,800 men with
them the last forty days and have abandoned all idea of moving north
since Price failed to take Jefferson City and to support himself at
Lexington, where Stand Watie says he expected to remain some time."

Nov. 1st,
Curtis to Halleck, ibid Pg 396

"Price reports Cooper and Stand Watie investing Fort
Smith, and expect to assist in the capture of that post."

Nov. 3rd
Jackson to Christensen, ibid Pg 412

"Only
guerrilla parties are reported to have been in Southwestern Missouri
about the 1st of October, but a raid was feared through the western
counties by about 2,000 men under Stand Watie."

Nov. 7th
Thayer to Steele, ibid Pg 468

"Price was at Cane Hill on Friday, the 4th instant. I think
he is aiming to cross the Arkansas at the mouth of the Illinois (Webber's
Falls). I took a force across the river with the view of moving up to
attack him as crossed the river, but finding Cooper threatening Fort
Smith I brought my force back. Within my fortifications we are safe
against Price and Cooper both and shall hold Fort Smith."

Nov. 7th
Roscrans to Halleck, ibid Pg 470

"...citizens living south of the Boston Mountains, coming
into Fayetteville, report cannonading in the direction of Fort Smith on
the 4th and 5th, supposed to be a demonstration to cover Price's passage
toward the Arkansas crossing."

Nov 8th
Thayer to Sanborn, ibid Pg 493

"I crossed the Arkansas here with a force to move out
and attack him, but having reason to believe that Gen. Cooper would
move up to attack this place with about 7,000 men, I was obliged to
bring my forces back. My scouts from Webber's Falls, and also
messengers through from Gibson last night, found no trail of any force
having gone to the Arkansas. I am therefore led to believe that Price
struck to the west of Gibson, via Tahlequah and Park Hill. Maj.
Melton reports Curtis in close pursuit. Within my fortifications here I
could resist Price and Cooper united. "

Thayer's scout and messengers must have been just a few hours ahead of Price's retreating army.

Nov 10th
Herron to Christensen, ibid Pg 504

"The day before Price crossed Gen. Thayer prepared a
column of 3,000 men to move out, but for some reason held it back.
They seemed to have but little information at this post as to the enemy's
movements, even when within thirty miles of here, and it was not
known they had crossed until Blunt brought the information....
At last accounts Cooper and Stand Watie were
moving for Scullyville toward Webber's Ford, to aid Price in crossing,
and will probably return south with him."

Nov 10th
Sanborn to Rosecrans, ibid Pg 511

"Gen. Thayer crossed the river with a force with the
view of attacking Price, but having reason to believe, he says, that
Cooper would move to attack Fort Smith with 7,000 men, he was
obliged to bring his force back."

Nov 10th
Kittredge to Sanborn, ibid Pg 512

"...Price was going into Texas, and that Cooper and Stand Watie, with
1,700 men and three small cannon, were to join him at the [Arkansas] river."

Nov 12th
F.Steele to Canby, ibid Pg 531

"They also say that Price crossed the
Arkansas at the mouth of Illinois River (Webber's Falls). Thayer
marched out to attack him while crossing, but Cooper threatened Fort
Smith and he returned.... . Deserters from Maxey's
command say that he is at Doaksville with his whole command stretched
along Red River."

Nov 12th
Thayer to F. Steele, ibid 535

"Price crossed the river near Webber's Falls. Cooper met him there
with his force. I started for the purpose of attacking Price, but finding
Cooper was moving up I was obliged to return, for I feared Cooper
would attack this place in my absence, as I could not leave a force
sufficient to defend it and take along sufficient to meet Price. All the
information I received was tot he effect that our forces were not
pursuing Price."

Nov 15th
Bassett to Wattles, ibid Pg 575

"Cooper has moved back toward Red
River and is now at Little Boggy. Gano, with his brigade, has gone to
Camden."

Nov 27th
F.Steele to Reynolds, ibid Pg 696

"Price's command broke up into detachments in Northern
Arkansas, and, according to reports of scouting parties from Fort Smith,
the main body crossed the river at Fort Coffee, twenty-four miles above
Fort Smith by the river. Price put out pickets around Fort Smith while
the crossing was being effected. They had one piece of artillery and a
few wagons. Another body crossed at Webber's Falls, while another,
said to include Fagan's brigade, scattered, some going down White
River, and about 2,000 crossing the Arkansas in squads between
Clarksville and Fort Smith."

Was it the "pickets around Fort Smith" that Thayer thought was Cooper's?

CONFEDERATE REPORTS

Oct 16, 1864
Maxey to Boggs, ibid Pg 999

"I want to see Watie's expedition off ..."

Apparently Watie had proposed a expedition, which Cooper and Maxey supported, to by-pass Ft Gibson and raid into southern Kansas. As events unfolded, this plan took on the idea of supporting or releiving Price by drawing Union troops west.

Nov 8th
Maxey to Smith, ibid Pg 1037

" I neglected to say that there is a detachment of the Indian division about
800 strong on a move north of the Arkansas River."

Nov 8th
Cooper to Maxey, ibid Pg. 1038

"The Indian Division is now camped on Little Boggy, near the
forks of Fort Smith and Fort Gibson roads, distance from the former
place 130 miles. In consequence of intercepted Federal dispatches, sent
to district headquarters yesterday (stating that Gen. Price is
retreating, hard pressed, having been defeated near Fort Scott, Cabell
and Marmaduke, with 1,200 men and 13 pieces cannon, captured), in
anticipation that Gen. Smith might order an advance for the purpose
of aiding Gen. Price in effecting his retreat, should this news prove
true, I sent out notice recalling all absentees, except the sick and
disabled. At present there are but few men in camp (aggregate 1,471),
many unarmed and afoot, but the Indians will rally and follow on
whenever it is known we are moving forward with the expectation of a
fight. How many can be got together I am unable to say, but should
suppose about 2,000 may be counted on, perhaps 3,000.

...Capt. Marston expected to leave Scullyville yesterday. I expect to hear
from him to-night or to-morrow. Federals have taken advantage of the
flag being at Scullyville to pull down houses and haul them into the fort,
delaying the return of the flag."

On Nov. 2nd, Capt. Samuel H. Gunter of Watie's command captured dispatches about 10 miles west of Ft Smith on the road to Ft Gibson. This was near Gunter's home in the Sequoyah District and Gunter may have been on detached service as opposed to part of the 800-man detachment Maxey mentioned. Gunter was a lieutenant in Watie's original 1st Cherokee Mtd Vols but does not show up in the few existing records after his original enlistment ran out in July 1862. Capt. Bulen W. Marston was Cooper's AAG and was sent to Ft Smith under a flag of truce -- I have yet to find information on his purpose but it may have been related to assisting Southern refugees moving south.

Nov 7th
Cooper to Bell, ibid 1040

"I have to inclose dispatches captured by Capt. Samuel H.
Gunter between Fort Gibson and Fort Smith."

Nov 10th
Marston to Cooper, ibid 1059

"...a very
well-mounted and reported large (3,000) cavalry [force?] arrived at Fort
Smith the day before we left. I saw about forty of their horses; they
were first-class. A considerable number of Price's men have deserted
and gone with the Federals; thirty-two passed my rear guard yesterday.
I met Capt. Gunter soon and he took after them, but was unable to
overtake them; if I had seen them I would have taken the opportunity to
arrest them."

Nov 17th
Maxey to Boggs, ibid 1058

"I inclose extract of letter from Capt. Marston recently sent by
Gen. Cooper to Fort Smith with flag of truce with Gen. C.'s
indorsement."