General Curtis to Samuel R. Curtis, January 22, 1863
Major-General CuRTIS, Saint Louis :
My DEAR GENERAL: I am just returned from the White River, and am organizing my command for Vicksburg. I go to-night. We shall take Vicksburg sure, even though all the Confederacy should be there to oppose it. Ourexpedition to Devall’s Bluff has not been productive of great results; some expeditions are not. I have done all I could in my weak way to crowd a force up the Arkansas while the Vicksburg expedition was being organized; in this I am opposed all around. I called upon Admiral Porter yesterday to press the proposition upon him, now while the river is full to its banks; no go. Perhaps it is best it should not be done.
I remain, yours, to command, CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier-General.
HpDQRS. 8TH AND 9TH DISTS., DEPT. OF THE Missouri, Camp Curtis, Ark., January 22, 1863. Colonel [JoHN F.] PHILIPS, Commanding Federal Forces, Newtonia, Mo. :
Sir : I desire to forward the accompanying dispatches and mail matters to Springfield.
By order of General Curtis, I take command of the Kighth and Ninth
Fort Scott. As Ihave to communicate directly with General Curtis, and
as part of my command is at Neosho, I design forwarding my dispatches,
&c., by Newtonia, Mount Vernon, and Springfield, instead of sending
communications in order to secure the regular passage of mail matter
and dispatches via Neosho, Newtonia, and Springfield.
Have you heard anything of the rebel forces under Marmaduke? I