John A. McClernand to Abraham Lincoln, December 12, 1862

Springfield, Ill., December 12, 1862.

His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN:

Since my return here on the 25th October last, and receipt of orders to assist the Governors of Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa in mustering and forwarding troops, I have forwarded to the rendezvous of the Mississippi expedition forty-nine regiments of infantry and two batteries, containing upward of 40,000 men. There are still a few infantry regiments and batteries nearly ready to march and a few others recruiting.

The work remaining to be done in those States may be satisfactorily performed by the mustering officers of the U. S. Army in those States, or by a member of my staff, and is not of importance enough in my judgment to detain me from the more advanced organization of the expedidition and its movement upon Vicksburg. May I not ask therefore to be sent forward immediately ?

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN A. McCLERNAND,
Major-General.