Col. John M. Harrell, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 10.2, Arkansas
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[280] mounted commands just in from Missouri, in order that the horses might be rested, was not singular. But as the army of the Trans-Mississippi was large and continually called for, the inaction of so large a force, while all the Confederates east of the river were in the field, could only be explained by the fact that it could not cross the Mississippi river.

The field returns of the army of the Trans-Mississippi gave totals: First army corps, composed of Texans and Louisianians, under Major-General Buckner, aggregate present, 20,868; Second army corps, Arkansans and Missourians, under Major-General Magruder, 10,885; Third army corps, Texans, under Major-General Walker, 8,251; Cooper's cavalry corps, Indians and Texans, 3,019; grand total, 43,054, with 120 pieces of artillery. Leaving out Indian commands, there was a grand total of 40,000 ‘aggregate present’ Probably the inaction could not be helped, and General Smith was the constituted and best judge of the situation. All of the best faculties of man are required to make a successful leader of military campaigns. Undoubtedly General Smith gave evidence of the possession of great military capacity. His strategic moves were usually good, and admitting that his overconfidence at Jenkins' ferry cost him dearly, he had a right to rely on assistance there. One practical lesson most thoroughly impressed in experience of actual war is that a most trivial accident may thwart a grand combination, and cause disappointment to a heartfelt wish like that expressed by Wellington: ‘Would that night or Blucher would come.’ There was only one Stonewall Jackson, and but one Lee, in the course of centuries.

As it resulted, the Western campaign proposed for the spring of 1865, after much preparation and thought, was never fought. It may be well, in reaching the closing days of a great endeavor, to repeat the old adage: ‘Man proposes, and God disposes.’ The Confederacy ceased to exist when its military resources were exhausted.