John A. McClernand to Lew. Wallace, June 22, 1862

Maj. Gen. LEw. WALLACE, Commanding Third Division, Memphis, Tenn. :

GENERAL: Your dispatch of the 18th instant is received. The absence of further instructions from general headquarters has made it unnecessary to communicate with you for a few days past. MajorGeneral Halleck has been advised of your entrance into Memphis and the reasons for it. You will remain there or at any point on the line occupied by your division at your discretion until otherwise directed. It is desired and expected that you will continue your efforts to prevent railroads within your reach from being injured.

A detachment General Sherman’s division (General Smith’s brigade) has been to Holly Springs and even beyond. No enemy is reported to be there. Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant, commanding district of West Tennessee, is on his way to Memphis, where he proposes establishing his headquarters when Memphis shall have been secured. Would not Bolivar or Grand Junction be a desirable and suitable place for your headquarters ?

By command of Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand: