Doyle and I debated this topic a couple of years ago.

I have been able to track the movement of the wagon train of supplies escorted by Parsons, but nothing on these 25 guns except by Union General Curtis in The Official Records. And, by virtue of the date in this reference, the guns would have crossed the River ahead of Parsons.

From The Alexander Papers, The Official Records and various other sources that I have attempted to notate, I can piece together the story of Parsons and his command leaving Tupelo and crossing back west over the Mississippi River. Many are the references to stores, wagons and small boats, but no artillery reference except for 5 guns. [Except for Curtis' reference to 25 guns crossing sometime before Parsons.]
Note in particular the various descriptions of the boats used to cross Parsons' command. Hard to imagine 25 pieces of artillery being crossed in such boats on a river under constant patrol by enemy gunboats. The Union Navy reports the destruction of boats apparently used to convey the artillery before Parsons' force arrived at the river

6/18/62 S O #117 Priceville. Ms
II. The troops under the command of Gen M. M. Parsons, known as the Mo State Guard, are relieved from duty with this army & will prepare to march tomorrow with 8 days' rations. The Confederate troops under Gen Parsons will, if Arty, report to the cdg officer of the Arty bgde; if inf or Cav, will report to the cdg officer of their division (Gen Little). A btry of 4 pieces of Arty will march with him. The rest of the Arty of Parsons' bgde will be turned over to the chief of Arty, or such officers as he may order to receive it, who will give the necessary receipts for the same. Gen Parsons will cause descriptive lists to be furnished to the Confederate troops under his command.

6/18 HQs Army of the West, Priceville, Kimmel to Col J P Major cdg arty-The Gen cdg directs that the battery to be taken by Gen Parsons will consist of 5 guns in place of 4, with all appurtenances

7/6 We would have already been on the west side of the river had not discharged soldiers from Tupelo going on to Helena and spreading word that Parsons and 700 men were going to cross the river at that point. Boats were destroyed by Yanks delaying our crossing. Camp Fire & Prison Journal by Frost

7/13-Spec Orders HQ Dept, No. 2, No. 115 Tupelo
I. The MSG, under command of Brig. Gen. M. M. Parsons, are relieved from further service east of the Mississippi River, and will proceed with the least practicable delay to join the forces of Major-General Hindman as soon as practicable. The general cdg desires to express to Gen Parsons and his gallant officers and men his high appreciation of their patriotic devotion to the cause in which we are engaged, which has ever distinguished the citizens of Missouri in the armies of the Confederate States.
II The QM’s department will furnish the necessary means of transportation to facilitate the earliest possible execution of this order. By command of Gen Bragg: Official Records
7/13 The Guard had been detained from leaving until now [over a month] while waiting for a wagon train of arms & supplies to be gathered for the TM. With Parsons East of the River
At this time Capt Guibor was ordered to the park of the Arty Bgde and his men that belonged to the MSG were attached to Capt Gorham’s Co, & all the Confederate soldiers of Gorham’s btry were transferred to Guibor’s.

Camp Fire & Prison Journal
7/18 Left Abbeville in direction of Miss River-Camped at Oxford where we took the cars for Grenada- Artillery went by land. Arrived Grenada 2 AM

7/21 Our artillery arrives

HEADQUARTERS ARMY SOUTHWEST, Helena, Ark., July 16, 1862. I am credibly informed that General Price has been crossing troops at Gaines Landing below. I hope it will be in your power to send gunboats down to interrupt such a movement. I also desire to move my command, partly on transports; and gunboats seem necessary as convoys on the Mississippi and White rivers. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, CURTIS, Major-General, U. S. Army. NAVAL COMMANDING OFFICER, Memphis.

FLAG STEAMER BENTON, Off Vicksburg, July 19, 1862. SIR: I have received the reports of the surgeon, engineer, and carpenter of the Conestoga and, in compliance with their recommendations and your own representations, you are hereby directed to proceed to Cairo for repairs and relief. You will remember that the services of your vessel are very much wanted at the present time, and you will therefore make all possible expedition in these repairs. It is reported by refugees that General Price is crossing the river at Gaines Landing. I wish you to take a good look in there and in at any other point, bay, bayou, or river mouth to which your attention may be drawn by the appearance of barges, scows, dat- boats, and ferryboats, and destroy everything that may be useful to the enemy for transportation. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. H. DAvIs, Flag-Officer, Comdg. U. S. Naval Forces

Head Quarters Trans Miss District

Little Rock, Arks., July 19, 1862

Major:

I have now at my different camps of instruction in Arkansas and on the march to them, thirty (30) regiments of infantry, averaging very nearly, if not quite one thousand (1,000) men to the regiments. Of these not three thousand (3,000) are armed.

In Missouri six (6) regiments are forming for which I have no arms.

In the Indian country, there are four (4) or five (5) regiments, whose arms are worthless.

I have gathered up, by purchase and impressments, about all the arms within my district. It is perfectly certain that not one thousand more guns more guns can be obtained. Of those that I have, only about 800 are valuable, balance being shotguns and common rifles.

In response to my previous appeal for arms, Gen. Beauregard ordered turned over to my Ordnance officer, Maj. Lockman some 450 damaged shot guns and rifles - and sent me a worthless battery - these I have received.

Curtis is devastating eastern Arkansas - a gunboat and transport fleet is at the mouth of the Arkansas River. A federal force of between 1,000 and 5,000 is in the Cherokee nation. Another federal column of about the same strength is in North West Arkansas.

If arms and ammunition were furnished me, I could do something in the way of defence - without them, I am nearly powerless.

There are old muskets and batteries in abundance east of the Mississippi: I apply for them - The requisitions I send do not cover the fourth of my wants. I have stated the facts. Begging and complaining cannot add to their strength.

Very Respectfully

T. C. Hindman

Maj. G. W. Brent } Maj. Genl. Comdg.

Chief of staff Hd Qtrs }

West Dept, Tupelo Miss }
May I ask that a copy of this be forwarded to the secretary of war immediately.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST,
Helena, Ark., July 20, 1862.
GENERAL: I have just returned from a reconnaissance down the river. A large amount of ammunition, small-arms, and some twenty-five pieces of artillery were crossed over into Arkansas last week near Gaines' Landing. The gunboats had passed to and fro while this was going on. I took and destroyed some 70 or 80 flat-boats, some of which had been in the business of crossing stores, and one small steamboat.
A more vigilant watch over the river is needed. My advance drove a picket from a picket from Gaines' Landing, and pursued the enemy, killing 1 man. I went 25 miles up the Arkansas River and sent scouts to the road south of it, hoping to intercept the artillery, but it had all passed on to Little Rock.
I am credibly informed that the enemy is arranging to attack our transports with artillery that will be brought to the Mississippi in the vicinity of Gaines' Landing. Some kind of vigilant floating force must be employed to keep this great natural base of operations (the Mississippi River) entirely safe. More unity of action between the gunboats and transports must be had. I speak of what relates to my own operations in Arkansas, the Mississippi being now my new base of operations. I hope your headquarters will move this great river.
I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
SAML. R. CURTIS,
Major-General.
Major General H. W. HALLECK.
[Indorsement.]
AUGUST 18, 1862.
The attention of the Secretary of War is respectfully called to this report, and it is suggested that the matter be referred to the Navy Department. It is of vital importance that the gunboats prevent the enemy from occupying the banks of the river between Memphis and the mouth of the Arkansas.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.

7/21 Our train got in today [the wagons] & preparations were made for moving at 2 AM
7/23 We crossed the Tallahatchie
7/25 Camp on the Sunflower
7/26 We rode 34 miles today and are almost on the bank of the Ms River watching the gunboats
Hoskin of Priest’s Regt

7/29 within 1 mile of Mississippi River-enemy gun boats passing on the river
Camp Fire & Prison Journal

Missouri Brothers in Gray
7/31 Our battery was on the first boat that crossed the Ms River. Gen Parsons crossed with us. Remained in camp until 8/6 waiting for the train to be crossed…slow as they have but two small flat boats, the Federals having destroyed everything…

7/31 moved to the river and commenced loading on the wagons
Camp Fire & Prison Journal

7/30 We are crossing over to the west side of the river in a little flat boat
8/1 the train is still crossing the river
Hoskin of Priest’s Regt

Parsons crossed the Mississippi river with about 800 men and Gorham’s 5 gun battery.
Embattled Arkansas: The Prairie Grove Campaign of 1862 by Michael E. Banasik (Author)

8/2 We crossed in several flat bottom cotton boats w/high gunnels and oar locks
The State Historical Society of Missouri--The Missouri Collection ...
Wilson, John, Memoirs, 1926

8/3 expenses paid negroes for loading stores on wagons at Ms River-11/16 Little Rock-Sanders, AQM, MSG- appd by Richard Stith QM Gen, Mo

8/4 Gen Hindman to Brig-General John S. Roane at Pine Bluff-Send an Officer to meet General {M. M} Parsons of Missouri with this dispatch which he will receive as an order to him from General Hindman to have his command a suitable camping place near Arkansas Post and there report his strength, condition, etc. Wagons containing stores from the army to move to Pine Bluff and the officer in charge to report their contents by telegraph R. C. Newton

8/5 Hindman to Gen Cooper-…I have now in camp at this place and Pine Bluff about 18,000 effective men, well armed. I have in camps of instruction between 6,000 and 8,000 men, either wholly unarmed or else armed with guns that are of little value, such as shot-guns, rifles, carbines, &c. The arms brought out by Capt Hart, together with those brought by Gen Parsons, have relieved me of embarrassment and enabled me to make effective the greater part of my command. If Major Bankhead arrives safely, as I think he will, I can then arm the balance of my men. I am waiting anxiously to hear of that officer's arrival on this side of the river.
I have six batteries containing forty brass pieces and one Btry of iron guns. I have a Co of Arty encamped near this place, to which I will give the 8-gun Btry coming in charge of Major Bankhead. By some blundering mistake a box of friction primes intended for me was left at Grenada. I have sent a courier to meet Major Bankhead, and if he has not a full supply of them the courier is to go on to Grenada to request Major Chambliss to send forward those left by Capt Hart.
If, therefore, Major Bankhead reaches me in due time, as, from your dispatch and Major Chambliss's letter, received by same courier, I am led to believe he will, I will have in a short time from 24,000 to 26,000 Inf, about 6,000 Cav, and fifty-four pieces of Arty near this place, to which I will give the 8-gun Btry coming in charge of Major Bankhead. By some blundering mistake a box of friction primers intended for me was left at Grenada. I have sent a courier to meet Major Bankhead, and if he has not a full supply of them the courier is to go on to Grenada to request Major Chambliss to send forward those left by Capt Hart
This letter was intercepted by Union forces. See Curtis to Halleck, August 15, 1862, p. 571.
OR-Vol XIII

HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DISTRICT,
Little Rock, Ark., August 5, 1862.
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:
GENERAL: I some time since made an earnest appeal to General Bragg to send me the old refuse arms and batteries now lying idle in arsenals on the other side of their river. This was before the stores sent by Captain Hart and General Parsons reached me, and before I was advised of Major Bankhead's success in getting arms and munitions for me. I have authorized the raising of independent companies among the people, and have placed those companies under the charge of the provost-marshall's department. I inclose you copies of my orders* on the subject. These companies have proved to be of benefit already, and could be made vastly useful if I had guns, even old shot-guns and rifles, to give them. As you are probably aware, nearly every gun in this State has been purchased or impressed by the Government, and many men not subject to conscription withhold from the independent companies of their counties only because they hear I can get no guns. This organization is not only useful now in matters of police, but may be more so in future as a powerful reserve, to be called into place when necessity requires it. If you arm it now you foster and secure it. For that reason I make the same appeal to you which I made to General Bragg. Let me have the old shot-guns, rifles, condemned muskets, and useless cannon which I have mentioned, to place in the hands of independent companies. I can make them useful. They are doing and will do no good were they are. I can use the batteries along the streams which the enemy's boats may attempt to navigate. If you can send them to me I urge upon you to do so as soon as possible.
Very respectfully,
T. C. HINDMAN,
Major-General, Commanding

8/8 Gen Roan cmdg Pine Bluff- Hart’s btry en route to you with only about 1/4 proper number of men. You should have details ready to join him on arrival. Gen Parsons wrote me before he crossed the Mississippi that he had plenty of ammunition. And Gen Pike said he furnished Colonel Dawson with ammo, so you must be mistaken to say you have none at all.... there ought to be enough for your entire armed infantry command exclusive of Parsons Alexander Papers

8/9 Little Rock to Colonel Theodore Saunders QuarterMaster, General Parsons’ Command Pine Bluff-
If you think General Parsons does not need any of the stores, you can move them and the train here at once.
Commissary and Quarter Master are hereby directed to issue you subsistence and forage upon your requisition. General Hindman’s Orders R C. Newton Alexander Papers

8/10 Little Rock to Colonel Theodore Saunders [Sanders] Q. M. MSG, Pine Bluff
Upon further consideration it is deemed advisable for you to move the train and stores here without delaying to communicate with General Parson. Major Busby, General Roane’s QuarterMaster, is hereby directed to furnished you upon requisition, what forage he can and sufficient funds to purchase green corn on the route. Hindman’s order R. C. Newton AG

6/19/63 Reports of Major General Thomas C. Hindman, C. S. Army, of operations May 31-November 3, 1862-
May-Hindman reports to Gen Cooper…In the existing condition of things Gen Beauregard could not spare me a soldier, a gun, a pound of powder, nor a single dollar of money.
…I sent two of my staff officers to Grenada, Jackson, Columbus, and other depots, with requisitions for ordnance and ordnance stores, instructing them to take even condemned articles, and to bring them to me by the most practicable route.

5/27-7/18 Capt J B Lockman Ord Officer of Hindman’s staff files claim for expenses-for me & 8 men bringing ordnance & ordnance stores from Grenada to Little Rock