Unknown to John A. McClernand, October 21, 1862
Ordered, That Major-General McClernand be, and he is, directed to proceed to the States of Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, to organize the troops remaining in those States and to be raised by volunteering or draft, and forward them with all dispatch to Memphis, Cairo, or such other points as may hereafter be designated by the general-in-chief, to the end that, when a sufficient force not required by the operations of General Grantâs command shall be raised, an expedition may be organized under General McClernandâs command against Vicksburg and to clear the Mississippi River and open navigation to New Orleans.
The forces so organized will remain subject to the designation of the gereral-in-chief, and be employed according to such exigencies as the ser ice in his judgment may require.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.