As MG Sterling Price’s Army retreated toward the Arkansas River, he began approving various commands to depart the main body. At Cane Hill (Boonsborough) he authorized two of MG Jeff Fagan’s brigades (Dobbin’s and McCray’s), one of MG John S. Maramaduke’s brigades (Freeman’s) and Coffee’s regiment of Tyler’s brigade of recruits to leave for Northeastern Arkansas to recruit new troops, forage and capture deserters.

After safely crossing the Arkansas River on 11-7-64, it is well know that on 11-10-64 MG Price approved the departure the two remaining brigades of MG Jeff Fagan’s division, Cabell’s under Reiff and Slemmons’ under Crawford, for winter camps in Southwestern Arkansas near Red River via Ultima Thule. (Cabell and Slemmons had recently been captured at Mine Creek, Kansas) MG Fagan and his personal escort remained with Price until reaching Middle Boggy (now at Atoka).

But what about Shelby’s Division?? Price and staff say in two OR locations that Shelby remained behind for a while to recruit along the Canadian near North Fork Town, finally rejoining Price at Boggy Depot. However, this is not exactly what Shelby said that he did. At OR 41-1-661, BG Shelby states: (following action around Cane Hill)

“With as much rapidity and comfort as possible, the march was continued to the Arkansas River. I would here state, however, that after all danger was over, by permission of General Price I sent Colonels Hunter, Schnable, Nichols, and Slayback with their commands to Northwestern Arkansas to recruit both men and horses and gather up what recruits had been left when the expedition to Missouri commenced. (Hunter, Schnable and Nichols were from Jackman’s brigade). After crossing the Arkansas River provisions were scarce, flour a myth, and salt numbered with the things that were. Yet we got along as well as could be expected, and only when actually suffering did I ask of General Price permission to return to the Canadian and kill and jerk beef. After losing many valuable horses and resorting to almost every expedient to get my battery through, I arrived at Boggy Depot with my command tired, weary, and very hungry.”

I had thought that BG Shelby may have gone to North Fork Town trying to recruit (collect) missing Confederate troopers from the recent Kansas battles and Price’s march south. But it now appears that Shelby’s remaining men (and horses) were starving and Shelby went foraging into the most promising country available, westward along the Canadian River toward the Texas Road.

What happened to Jackman’s men?? Did Shelby really send them into Northwestern Arkansas, as it is published, or was it Northeastern Arkansas? Did they return to Shelby, as his report suggests?