Clay:

I need to add something to my post of this morning.

At the top of that column in the Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph of July 18, 1862 (which is entitled, "By the Central Trains, The News Confirmed") is the following:

"By passengers just arrived on the Central train we learn that a dispatch was received by Gov. Pettus, of Mississippi, of the same character with that represented to be received by Gov. Moore of Louisiana, to the effect that McClellan surrendered his army."

"The mouth of Red river is closely blockaded by the enemy--not, however, until 20,000 beeves had been sent across for our army."

These bits of news are unrelated, but both have bearing on our discussion. McClellan had retreated from Gaines Mill in his quest to reach Richmond, to the relief of the Confederacy. But New Orleans and Memphis had fallen, giving the Union control of the the Mississippi from Memphis to Vicksburg. The Union occupied Baton Rouge on May 29. The Confederates were trying to retain control of the Mississippi above and below the mouth of the Red River, which was a supply route for Arkansas and Louisiana into the eastern part of the Confederacy.

Looks like the Mouth of the Red was lost in mid July. This must all be related to what was going on in Monroe?