John A. Moclernand to Abraham Lincoln, January 16, 1863
Post Arkansas, January 16, 1863.
His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States :
Sir: Herewith I have taken the liberty to transmit a copy of a communication to General Grant.
I believe my success here is gall and wormwood to the clique of West Pointers who have been persecuting me for months. How can you expect success when men controlling the military destinies of the country are more chagrined at the success of your volunteer officers than the very enemy beaten by the latter in battle? Something must be done
to take the hand of oppression off citizen soldiers whose zeal for their country has prompted them to take up arms, or all will be lost.
Do not let me be clandestinely destroyed, or, what is worse, dishonored, without a hearing. The very moment you think I am an impediment to the public service, upon the slightest intimation of it my resignation will be forwarded. Until then you may count upon my best endeavors, at whatever peril, to sustain the sacred cause for which we are contending.
In addition to the reasons set forth in the copy of the dispatch inclosed for the Arkansas River expedition I might assign the order of the Secretary of War, indorsed by you, to open the Mississippi River.
The Mississippi River being the only channel of communication, and that being infested with guerrillas, how can General Grant at a distance of 400 miles intelligently command the army with me? He cannot do it. It should be made an independent command, as both you and the Secretary of War, as I believe, originally intended.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. MoCLERNAND.
{Inclosure.]