The Confederates continued to attack Steele's column along their march. After a series of skirmishes or small battles, starting with a battle between Steele's and Marmaduke's forces at Okolona on April 3, and the Battle of Elkin's Ferry on April 3–4, 1864. On April 9, Thayer's force met up with Steele's, but brought almost no food along with them. Steele decided he could not remain in the barren area around Elkin's Ferry and ordered supplies to be sent to him at Camden. After the Battle of Prairie D'Ane, at which the Union column forced the Confederates to withdraw toward Washington, Arkansas, and the Union rear guard screened the Union move, Steele turned his force to the east toward Camden. Camden had been evacuated by the Confederates so their entire force in Arkansas could pursue Steele's men. Steele marched into the Confederate fortifications at Camden having been opposed only in a stiff two-hour fight by Marmaduke's cavalry which had caught up with the Union force but was unable to stop it from entering Camden on the night of April 15. Finding few supplies at Camden, Steele had to send out foraging parties which the Confederates attacked with disastrous results for the Union foraging parties at the Battle of Poison Spring and the Battle of Marks' Mill.