In June 1863, Brigadier General John W. Davidson took command of the newly formed First Cavalry Division of the Department of Missouri, a U.S. force of 6,000 cavalrymen, thousands of horses, 16 pieces of field artillery, and numerous supply wagons drawn from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, and Colorado. Ordered to join Union infantry in east central Arkansas and move west to capture the Confederate stronghold of Little Rock, the division advanced from Missouri's Arcadia Valley to control Crowley's Ridge in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas, where the only all-weather road crossed the region's vast swamps and wetlands. Bloomfield, the largest Missouri town on the ridge, was found nearly deserted when Davidson's command arrived, though some buildings still remained. Davidson kept his troops there for 12 days while awaiting reports from hired spies on road conditions and Confederate strength between Bloomfield and Little Rock. During the stay, the men spent their time in drill, picket duty, foraging, digging and erecting fortifications, and dress parades, under orders not to enter private homes or take private property unless directed. Little food was available beyond signs that residents were living mainly on cornmeal and bacon, though a few soldiers found chickens, butter, and vegetables. At dress parade on July 18, the command was ordered to strike tents and prepare to move south at 8:00 a.m. on July 19, and both the soldiers, weary of the July heat, and many local residents were evidently glad to see the force depart.