I agree, the three eyewitness accounts are nearly irrefutable. However, can you really dismiss the report of the federal scout who counted four regiments on the Coffeeville-Pontotoc road? Are all of the regiments accounted for in the reports of the O.R., and do they provide substantive proof that none of the regiments were screening the main body in this manner?

Just curious ... it would seem to show that Van Dorn was a little brighter than I give him credit for being, which is why I'm so intrigued.

Personally, I think Van Dorn was responsible for one of the biggest gaffes in the war: sending the Arkansas to her demise at Baton Rouge before she was completely seaworthy. If the Arkansas survives until 1863, Grant cannot make his move south of Vicksburg because of the threat to his resupply / transports. Grant eventually falls under the command of Banks and ends the war in relative obscurity. Does the U.S. have another general officer as capable as Grant of swallowing his pride and working with the micro-managerial Lincoln? I can't think of another.