John A. McClernand to Henry W. Halleck, November 10, 1862
Springfield, Ill., November 10, 1862.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief :
I received the order of the Secretary of War on the 21st ultimo at Washington to proceed to Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa and take measures for the preparation of the Mississippi expedition.
Leaving Washington on the morning of the 22d I arrived at Indianapolis on the 23d, and on the same day had an interview with Governor Hopton, who responded cordially to the project of the proposed expediion.
_ Leaving Indianapolis on the 24th I arrived at this place on the morning of the 25th, and immediately sought an interview with Governor Yates, who also responded with similar assurances.
As soon as the necessary dispatches could be prepared I immediately seut Major Scates, assistant adjutant-general, to lowa, to see and confer with Governor Kirkwood, who also entered zealously into the project.
When I reached here the impendency of the late election in this State, and the interest felt in it by State officials, in some degree impeded my efforts to forward the troops remaining within the State.
I should also state in further explanation of the tardiness attending enlistments that the scarcity of necessary labor caused by the very great number of troops sent from this State has hardly left any of the
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adult male population behind at liberty to leave their homes. Yet within the short space of sixteen days I have completed the organization, mustered, and forwarded from the different camps in Illinois six regiments of infantry and one six-gun battery to Columbus, Ky., and six regiments of infantry and one six-gun battery to Memphis, Tenn.
From Indiana I have forwarded five regiments of infantry and from Iowa three, also to Columbus, Ky. In addition to these organizations already forwarded there is another regiment of infantry in Illinois now under marching orders, and three others in the same State will be mustered by the middle of the current week; and ten more in Iowa, as I am informed, are only lacking overcoats, which I hope soon to furnish. Besides these, probably by the 15th instant twelve or more regiments from Illinois and lowa may be moved, making twenty regiments of infantry and two batteries gone and twelve nearly ready to go. Four other regiments of infantry, six of cavalry, and four companies of artillery are being enlisted in Illinois, and two other regiments of infantry in Iowa.
Although enlistments in Illinois are less tardy than before the election, yet the probable delay that will attend the completion of the cavalry and artillery organizations has induced me to recommend to Governor Yates the consolidation of all such deficient organizations after the 20th instant, in order that such as may be completed by this process may be hastened to the field.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ;
JOHN A. McCLERNAND,
Major-General, U. 8. Volunteers.