John M. Schofield to Clinton B. Fisk, January 7, 1863

Brig. Gen. CLINTON B. FISK, Columbus, Ky. : GENERAL: I telegraphed General Halleck some days ago protesting against sending my forces, which 1 had temporarily detailed for duty at Columbus, to the lines of General Grant below. General Halleck replied yesterday that Grant would probably get along without you. Some of the force may be needed to assist in disposing of Jeff. Thompson, who still manages to annoy the people about Bloomington and Pocahontas. If we could move interiorly from New Madrid, and move down from Van Buren at the same time, we could bag Thompson or give him a hard chase. Much depends on the feasibility of getting through toward Pocahontas from New Madrid. Scott’s forces ought to go back. They have learned something of the country. Carr reports Scott as having disobeyed orders and behaved cowardly, and demands his arrest. Scott says you wrote him I would approve. The thing looks as though be sought orders conflicting with those I directed General Carr to give him, and therefore went to Columbus instead of going to New Madrid from Cape Girardeau. It is not necessary to hurry matters very much from Columbus until we hear of the final result at Vicksburg, as we can get no boats to help us move from Helena until that crisis is over. Every gunboat is employed, and we cannot goup White River or the Arkansas without gunboat assistance, or boats pretty well defended like gunboats. General Strong is here in good health and high spirits, as you alwayssee him. Hespeaks often of youand Mrs. Fisk, who he desires much to see, as we all do. I am trying to get the Governinent to adopt my urgent request, made last August, to arm al] the transport boats that run on our Western waters. They are beginning to see the necessity, and General Halleck says, ‘Arm tyein as well as 26 M. O., ARK., KAIiS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. (Cuar. XXXIV you can.” I have telegraphed asking for one hundred and fifty small vanuon, so as to put two on every boat. I expect General Ripley will raise both hands with exclamations of horror at the expense. They may cost $150,000, which is not half as much as our loss in one boat a few days ago. I am glad to get letters, but you know I have no time torespond. The committee has returned from Washington, after seeing the President in regard to the case of Dr. McPheeters. The President argues against the order, but leaves the matter to me. He thinks the form of the order seems to show that we undertake to ‘run the church,” inasmuch as we order matters turned over toa committee. The point is well taken, I confess. I never saw the order till it was published, and it differs, as you know, very materially from the one I proposed, which merely stated the services of the church had been directed from divine to disloyal purposes, and should therefore be closed; but the form is not material, although efforts have been made to give importance to it. Give my regards to Mrs. Fisk, who, I suppose, is still with you, and believe me, very truly, your friend, SAML. R. CURTIS, Major-General. Wak DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 8, 1863. Major-General Cur’ris, Saint Louis, Mo. : Only a few howitzers can be sent. A number of old field pieces at the Saint Louis Arsenal can be mounted on trestles, &c., and put on the steamers. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Ohief. , Saint Louis, Mo., January 8, 1863. Major-General HALLEOK, General-in-Chief : A rebel force is moving from Forsyth against Springfield. It has taken and burned a mill 45 miles from Springfield, and is still approachiug. Things look dangerous, but General Brown was preparing to resist with garrison of about 2,000 irregular troops. SAML. R. CURTIS, Major-General. JANUARY 8, 1863.—For McOlernand to Curtis, see Series I, Vol. XVU, Part Il, p. 545.] , Vol Fayetteville, Ja 8 ; Commanding First Division : CoLoNngEL : I have determined, after further consideration, to rescind the order I made yesterday detaching troops from Colonel Phillips, and leave the organization of the division as made by General Blunt. It is necessary, ior the present at least, to put some artillery and white troops with the Indian brigade. I would like, if possible, to make nar. XXXIV.) CORRESPONLENCE, ETC.—UNION. some arrangement which would be more satisfactory, but I see now no way of accomplishing it. I hope something better may be practicable by and by. Very respectfulJy,

J. M. SCHOFIELD,