Clinton B. Fisk to Samuel R. Curtis, January 2, 1863

Maj. Gen. SAMUEL R. CURTIS, Commanding Department of the Missouri:

GENERAL: General Osterhaus, en route for his command, passed here last evening. [From him I learned your wishes touching our early departure for Helena. I have steadily kept before General Davies your wishes that your forces should not be scattered or detained one day longer in this department than his necessities should require. General Grant has ordered General Davies to move us to Memphis immediately. General Davies has asked General Halleck for instructions. General Tuttle, now here, is very desirous to retain all of your [owa regiments as a command for himself. I discover that he is hard at work among the colonels to influence them in the direction of General Grant; complains bitterly that General Grant has been badly treated in the distribution of the new troops from the Northwest. These are straws that indicate clearly what isin the wind. I fear that, if we are set down at Memphis, we shall bid good-by to the Department of the Missouri. It seems to me that after the liberal contribution you have made to the down-river expedition your department cannot well spare any more regiments.

We had a grand seare here yesterday. General Davies sent an aide to me in great laste, at9 a. m., with the intelligence that we were attacked on the right, and ordered iny command into line of battle immediately. We Missourians astonished the general commanding with our prompt attention to orders, and, indeed, it would have pleased the venerable Pea Ridge himself to have seen his boys spring to arms. Not an attack had we. Happy New Year was not disturbed by mortality lists, or groans from the wounded. The irregular discharge of arms by the guard relieved had create:] the alarm. Colonel Moore, with the Twenty-first Missouri and Thirty-third Iowa, is out on the railroad line 20 miles. Construction trains are within 8 miles of each other, but there is much trestle work to rebuild. I tear General Davies will not be able to open and maintain the line. Memphis must be made the base of supplies for General Grant’s army. Colonel Hughes has gone to repossess New Madrid. Norebel force has yet occupied the post. It was a great shame to have abandoned it at all. Colonel Scott ought to be ordered back there, and send Colonel Hughes, with his in]] regiment, down the river. Iam now waiting telegram from you touching our destination below. I fear you will have to telegraph General Halleck before we are again in your department.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,