U. 8S. Grant to John Alexander McClernand, January 11, 1863
Memphis, Tenn., January 11, 1863.
Major-General MCCLERNAND, Commanding Expedition on Vicksburg :
GENERAL: Unless absolutely necessary for the object of your expedition you will abstain from all moves not connected with it.
I do not approve of your move on the Post of Arkansas while the other is in abeyance. It will lead to the loss of men without a result. So long as Arkansas cannot re-enforce the enemy east of the river we have no present interest in troubling them. It might answer for some
of the purposes you suggest, but certainly not as a military movement looking to the accomplishment of the one great result, the capture of Vicksburg. :
Unless you are acting under authority not derived from me keep your command where it can soonest be assembled for the renewal of the attack on Vicksburg. ;
Major-General Banks has orders from Washington to co-operate in the reduction of Vicksburg, and if not already off that place may be daily expected. You will therefore keep your forces well in hand at some point on the Mississippi River, where you can communicate with General Banks on his arrival. Should you learn, before you have an opportunity of communicating with him, that he is making an attack on Vicksburg, move at once to his support. Every effort must be directed to the reduction of that place.
From the best information I have, Millikenâs Bend is the proper place for you to be, and unless there is some great reason of which I am not advised you will immediately proceed to that point and await the arrival of re-enforcements and General Banksâ expedition, keeping me fully advised of your movements.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. 8S. GRANT,
Major-General.