Clinton B. Fisk to Samuel R. Curtis, January 11, 1863
Maj. Gen. SAMUEL R. CURTIS, Commanding Department of the Missouri :
GENERAL: I arrived at Helena this morning. Found General Gorman actively engaged organizing an expedition for White River, to co-operate with General McClernand on the Arkansas.* I joined in the movement with my command, and am now afloat, waiting the signal gun from Fort Ourtis to advise us that all is ready for ” way down South in Dixie.” Twenty-five steam transports are waiting to bear the precious cargo away to glory and other things.
Vicksburg is ” too big a boo” for us yet. While re-enforcements are gathering we will endeavor to settle some small balances in the interior of Arkansas, and hope to give a good report ere long.
General Gorman, without doubt, has freely advised you of his movements, expectations, &c. Being now brigaded and divisioned with and under general officers who are my superiors, my official correspondence with you direct, will, I suppose, for the present terminate.
You will pardon me if occasionally I drop you a line in a private way.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General.
Hpqars. 3D BRIG., 1sT Div., ARMY OF THE FRONTIER,
Camp Ourtis, January 11, 1863.
I reached this point, 33 miles from Elm Springs, to-day. Major Ellithorpe's detachment joined me after I went intocamp. He reports noth-
* See Gorman to Curtis, January 10, Serics 1, Vol. XVIT Part I, p. 552, ing in relation to Marmaduke's forces. I have mere rumor that he was
near Springfield, and was expected down this way; nothing authentic.