John A. McClernand to Samuel R. Curtis, Saint Louis, December 12, 1862

Springfield, Ill., December 12, 1862.

Hon. BE. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

If the recent victory achieved by our arms at Prairie Grove, Ark., is as decisive as reported, why may not a considerable portion of our forces in that quarter, including also a portion of those south of Pilct Knob and Rolla in Missouri, be assigned to the Mississippi expedition or to some other field of service? I only ask the question suggestively.

I am anxiously awaiting your order sending me forward for duty in connection with the Mississippi expedition.*

your obedient servant,

JOHN A. McCLERNAND,
Major General.
WASHINGTON, December 12, 1862.
Maj. Gen. SAMUEL R. CuRTIS, Saint Louis :
GENERAL: Your communication of the 4th, in regard to the Grenada
expedition, is received and the explanations satisfactory.
In the numerous telegrams and dispatches sent from this office daily
some errors will necessarily occur. The language of my telegram of