Samuel R. Curtis to H. W. Halleok, February 11, 1863

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLEOK, General-in-Chief, Washington:

GENERAL: Your telegraphic dispatch of yesterday, saying you are informed the ‘most of the rebel force have left Arkansas to concentrate on Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and that as many as 10,000 more men can be safely sent from your department against Vicksburg,” is received.

My information, direct from Batesville, is that Holmes, Hindman, and Marmaduke are in the neighborhood of Little Rock, Marmaduke being on the south side of White River. It seems to me almost impossible for Holmes and Hindman to get through to the Mississippi at this season of the year, and their army must be still in Arkansas, more concentrated than formerly. If this be so, they must have at least 30,000 or 40,000 troops, while my forces, under Davidson and Schofield, are about 20,000 available, movable force. Davidson’s force is near West Plains and Schofield’s near. Crane Creek, each extending down into Arkansas. These two forces can move so as to check raids into Northern Arkansas, and repress insurrections feared in Missouri. In my judgment they should be retained till gunboats can permanently assist in holding White River and Arkansas, when they should move down nearer the Arkansas, driving and holding the enemy below that river.

If, however, the Arkansas troops have, as you suppose, gone to Vicksburg, Davidson’s force can be moved to Saint Genevieve in about twelve days, and it will take ten days nore to get them to Vicksburg. Snow, rains, aitd high waters make it very difficult to move, but I try to have my troops always ready, and have directed General Davidson to move eastward for the purpose of conforming to your wishes. A large portion of my troops are mounted, the better to get through mud, but tho more difficalt to transport by river. I cannot select infantry and artillery, as my forces are not near together, and by so doing I would destroy the organizations and the effftiency of the remainder. _ ae.

In view, therefore, of the probability that the rebel force is still in the central part of Arkansas, and the danger to Arkansas and Missouri, and the difficulty of moving so far in time to be of use in Vicksburg, I most respectfully express my convictions against the movement. These frontier forces are our only reserves for contingent necessities west of the Mississippi, and, in my judgment, they should not be weakened. Things are very quiet now, but great fears are entertained of more trouble as soon as spring opens. I[ submit the matter, however, to your judgment, willing to make great hazards for success at Vicksburg. I send this by Mr. Chapman, a most worthy and reliable Union man, of this city.

I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,