Karen

The CSS Arkansas made it's famous running of the Union Fleet into the Vicksburg Defenses on July 15th, 1862. Hence Vicksburg was under Naval Blockade prior to that date.

Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn (Deserter of the States of Arkansas) was place in command of Department of Southern Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana on June 20th, 1862. This was a restructuring of this area of command which removed Eastern Louisiana and Monroe from the Trans-mississippi commanders (Hindman) and transferred this area of Louisiana to the Vicksburg district commanders authority. Hence, Brig Gen John S. Roane being sent to Monroe to organize a Brigade of troops there in early June and almost immediately being recalled back to Pine Bluff by Hindman.

Van Dorn took command of the District of Mississippi #2 on July 2nd, 1862, I don't know what the geographical differences of this district as compared to the Department of Southern Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana are, But it made him responcible for the defense of Vickburg. He maintained this command of southern Mississippi, Vicksburg, Eastern Louisiana and Monroe until October 2nd, 1862.

As you are aware the 2nd Lancers/24th Texas Cavalry (dis) were on ther way to Pine Bluff by July 28th, 1862.

I would surmize that the Confederates had given very little thought to the defense of the Monroe to Vicksburg railroad prior to June, 1862. They would have been relying on the defenses at Memphis and Port Gibson to secure that section of the Mississippi River.

With the fall of Memphis and the destruction of the Confederate Navy at the Battle of Memphis on June 6th, 1862, the Mississippi was wide open all the way to Vicksburg and the Union Navy moved quickly to try to capture Vicksburg. This is what Roane and Van Dorn were probably trying to counter with any troops available.

You might check the Naval OR's and see if there is any indication of a shore party being landed on the west bank of the Mississippi.