Extending over a considerable area, the army consumed whatever could be found in the vicinity.

It gave much annoyance to the Rebels by destroying the saltpeter works on the upper portion of White River.
The saltpeter manufactories along the banks of this stream were of great importance to the Rebels in the Southwest, and their destruction seriously reduced the supplies of gunpowder in the armies of Arkansas and Louisiana.

Large quantities of the crude material were shipped to Memphis and other points, in the early days of the war.

At certain seasons White River is navigable to Forsyth.

The Rebels made every possible use of their opportunities, as long as the stream remained in their possession.
Half sick in consequence of the hardships of the campaign, and satisfied there would be no more fighting of importance during the summer, I determined to go back to civilization.