George B. McClellan to George B. McClellan, January 13, 1862

Washington, January 13, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, ` Commanding Department of Missouri :

. GENERAL: Your telegram of the 10th would have been replied to

ere this but for the fact that my state of health has thus far permitted ‘ me to attend only to the most pressing business. I do not think you had read my letter of the 3d with much care when you sent the telegraphic reply. My letter states what I consider it desirable to accomplish, and in conclusion I ask your views and the time necessary to prepare, as well as the foree you can use for the purpose. If you ean spare no troops it is only necessary to say so, and I must look elsewhere for the means of accomplishing the objectsin view. There is nothing in my letter that ean reasonably be construed into an order, requiring you to make detachments that will involve the defeat of the Union cause in Missouri.

i RN ee Ey 548 OPERATIONS IN KY., TENN., N. ALA., AND S.W. VA. Omar. XVIL A

I have now to request that, if you have not already done so, you will send to me as soon as possible a statement of the numbers, positions, — and conditions of the troops in your department, together with the same information in regard to the enemy, as far as you can give it.

I am, very truly, yours,

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General, Commanding U. S. Army.
LOUISVILLE, January 13, 1862.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,
Commanding U. S. Army:
My DEAR FRIEND: I did not mean to be understood in my disp
to the President as attaching little importance to the movement on East
Tennessee ; on the contrary, it is evidently of the highest importance,