Colonel Carr, with a cavalry division, was sent to the line of the Gasconade, to watch the movements of the enemy.

It was the preliminary to the march into Arkansas, which resulted in the battle of Pea Ridge and the famous campaign of General Curtis from Springfield to Helena.
As fast as possible, the gun-boat fleet was pushed to completion.

One after another, as the iron-clads were ready to move, they made their rendezvous at Cairo.

Advertisements of the quartermaster's department, calling for a large number of transports, showed that offensive movements were to take place.

In February, Fort Henry fell, after an hour's shelling from Admiral Foote's gun-boats.