The Indian Territory in the Civil War Message Board

Why didn't Thayer attack Price?

Near the close of MG Sterling Price's Raid on Missouri, he became very vulnerable to being blocked from crossing the Arkansas River by Federal forces under the command of BG John M. Thayer of Ft. Smith. By November 4th, Thayer surely knew that Federal forces were pursuing Price's remnant army retreating thru northwestern Arkansas, and that other Federal forces were approaching Ft. Smith from the east. Why didn't Thayer either: (1) bravely go across the Arkansas River and attack Price, since Thayer new that Price had little artillery left, or (2) march west along the Arkansas and await Price's attempt to cross where Thayer's artillery would have scattered Price's army, perhaps camped alongside the river, in all directions, just like Sigel's did at Wilson Creek?? Had Thayer taken the initiative, perhaps Thayer could have become a future Presidential candidate instead of a U.S. Senator and Governor of Nebraska.

Again, Why??

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Why didn't Thayer attack Price?
Re: Why didn't Thayer attack Price?
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Watie north of the Arkansas?
Re: Why didn't Thayer attack Price?