The Indian Territory in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Why didn't Thayer attack Price?

I'm and unsure why Thayer felt he was threatened by Cooper and Gano. Perhaps some activity that I have not found. It was reported a few weeks earlier that he thought Gano was moving against him in force, as always in very exaggerated numbers. Thayer at Ft Smith and Wattles at Ft Gibson didn't have a force large enough to meet Price's army outside their fortifications, though they knew Price's army was greatly diminished and demoralized but still numbered over 5,000 men. Thayer may have known that Curtis' pursuit was delayed and he would have been engaging Price alone with Curtis too far away to join him. It is odd that Thayer's scout didn't find any traces of Price -- my guess is they didn't go far west from Ft Smith or they would have certainly found his trail down the road from Evansville to Dwight Mission to Pheasant Bluff; Dwight Mission being on the military road from Ft Smith to Ft Gibson.

ORs, Series 1, Vol 41, Part 4, Pg 492

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF THE FRONTIER,
Fort Smith, Ark., November 8, 1864.
Brig. Gen. JOHN B. SANBORN,
Cassville, Mo.:

SIR: Maj. Melton, with detachment of cavalry, arrived here this forenoon. Price turned westward from Cane Hill. My impression was that he would strike the Arkansas at Webber's Falls, at the mouth of the Illinois River. I crossed the Arkansas here with a force to move out and attack him, but having reason to believe that Gen. Cooper would move up to attack this place with about 7,000 men, I was obliged to bring my forces back. My scouts from Webber's Falls, and also messengers through from Gibson last night, found no trail of any force having gone to the Arkansas. I am therefore led to believe that Price struck to the west of Gibson, via Tahlequah and Park Hill. Maj. Melton reports Curtis in close pursuit. Within my fortifications here I could resist Price and Cooper united. I have subsistence enough to last till the middle of December. A train of supplies is now on the way here. I am very grateful to you for your efforts to aid me.

I am, general, very respectfully, yours &c.,

JOHN M. THAYER,
Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.

P. S.--I have plenty of ammunition.

J. M. T.

Messages In This Thread

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