I tried to fill in the time line gaps in my post as follows:

http://www.history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs62x/arcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?md=read;id=30857

That post was focused on Slemons, McMurtrey and Tebbs and featured these highlights:

8/31/63 Grenada, Ms-Requisition signed by Capt McMurtrey cdg 2nd Ark Cav

SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, No. 144 Shreveport, La., September 22, 1863.
VII. Capt’s. E. L. McMurtrey and O B. Tebbs and Lt’s H. A. Small, B. C. Marshall, G. W. Stephens, A. Cooper, and W. H. Cooper, Second Arkansas Cavalry, will at once, under the direction of the senior officer above named, proceed to the counties of Calhoun, Bradley, Ashley, Drew, Jefferson, and Dallas, to collect the absentees from said regiment, reporting to these headquarters on the completion of this duty. So soon as communication with the east of the Mississippi River is opened, these men will rejoin their brigade. By command of Lieut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith

HEADQUARTERS CABELL'S BRIGADE, December 9, [1863]7 p. m. Brig. Gen. J. S. MARMADUKE, Commanding Cavalry Division: GENERAL: The scout I sent in the direction of Rockport returned this afternoon, having been within 6 miles of that place. Dr. Gray, whom you may probably know, living within a mile of Rockport, told the lieutenant in command of the scout that the Federals left them day before yesterday at 11 o’clock, taking the road to Tulip. They had 2,500 cavalry and eight pieces of artillery, and stated to Dr. Gray that they were going to Camden. Captain McMurtrey reported that they had no artillery. He probably saw only their advance guard. I enclose you a note received from Lieutenant Perry,* who is now on the Princeton road. About 200 Federals did come to [illegible] yesterday, fed their horses, and left at once for Tulip. Dr. Gray reports that they fed from his corn and what they did not feed they destroyed. Treated his son-in-law (Miller) in the same way-I am inclined to think they have gone to Camden, and that they will take the Pine Bluff road from there. No Federals in Rockport. If they are as strong as reported, they may attempt to get between us and the infantry. Respectfully, your obedient servant, W. L. CABELL, Brigadier-General, Commanding * Not found.

3/5/64 Demopolis-Col Slemons asks that himself and certain officers be allowed to proceed to the Trans Miss to gather up absentees-appd Gen Polk

Thus we see that McMurtrey and Tebbs had preceded Slemons by several months in going back to Arkansas ostensibly to gather up absentees.

Slemons was requesting a return to Arkansas from Alabama in March 1864.