Frémont learned the Confederates planned to reinforce their forces in Arkansas, and on November 1 he ordered Grant to make a feint toward Columbus to keep the Confederates there.
Frémont erfarede, at sydstatshæren planlagde at forstærke sine styrker i Arkansas, og den 1. november beordrede han Grant til at foretage et udfald mod Columbus for at binde sydstatshæren dér.