Chuck,,,,WW Heartsill of Captain Richardson's Company which had pickets on the river from at least Napoleon up to the White reports the following on page 91 of his book:

Jan.7...Dispatches from Captain Richardson to Churchill the grand fleet is on the way up from Vicksburg.

Jan.8...Dark.A scout comes in and reports to Churchill that a gunboat is sounding the Cut-Off having come from the White River.

Jan.9...10AM.Dispatches arrive for Churchill that the entire fleet is now in the Arkansas River and steaming their way with all possible dispatch for this place.

Its about 20 miles from the Arkansas to the White.5-6 miles from the White to the Arkansas via the Cut-Off and 25 miles on up to the Post.Also about 20 miles from mouth of Arkansas up to the Cut-Off.

Tho the federals may have attempted some little deception by coming in the White,the distances were so small that it appears would have made little difference.Captain Johnson's Spys also would have reported to Churchill any fleet passing on up to Helena. I do not know if there may have been any obstructions in the lower Arkansas.