General Frederick Steele and especially General Sheridan was scared to death of Texas. The Federal general staff had the opinion that Texas could continue the war indefinately with the aid of Mexico, even with New Orleans and the Mississippi River in federal control and the blockade of the Texas ports. The federals did not realize that Emperor Maximilian of Mexico had been abandoned by the French government. Maximilian had enough problems with Mexican rebels led by Benito Juarez to consider helping the Confederacy.

Early in the war, the federals made the mistake of attacking Texas through Arkansas and mounting the Red River Campaign instead of invading poorly defended north Texas from Fort Scott Kansas and Fort Smith Arkansas. Half the population in the north Texas counties were Unionists and deserters the the regiment in that area were leaving Confederate service by the hundreds and hiding in the thickets. The federal high command made the mistake and chose to strike at the better supplied and loyal heart of the Confederacy in Texas. I will never understand the federal strategy of the Red River Campaign.