W. A. Gorman to Special Orders, } Hpdqrs. Department Of The Tennessee, January 10, 1863
Helena, January 10, 1863.
Major-General CURTIS: ‘ GENERAL: Colonel Colburn leaves in afew moments for Saint Louis. I vend by him, to be disposed of at Memphis or Cairo, a few prisoners of war. My transports will begin to leave to-morrow morning at daylight. General McClernand has assumed command of all of Genéral Sherman’s forces at. Vicksburg, and has come back to the mouth of the Ar. kansas and gone up with part of the naval force under Admiral Porter in person to attack Old Post. I went down and had a personal conference with General Sherrs aD,
&c. Itis agreed that ‘hey proceed up the Arkansas, and that I proceed up the White River, each having some naval forces.
General McClernand designs to go entirely up to Little Rock, and I shall go to Devall’s Bluff, and perhaps send some force as high as Jacksonport, on White River. If the fog does not prevent I will enter White River day after to-morrow (the 12th), at daylight.
McClernand will have 32,000 infantry, 1,000 cavalry, and forty or more pieces of artillery. I will have 10,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, and 30 pieces of artillery.
I will send of the cavalry force 1,500 by land from Helena to Saint Charles and Clarendon if it is possible for them to get through, but they will have to go without transportation. They will take five days’ rations for the men in their haversacks and rely upon the country for forage for their horses. It is utterly impracticable to send teams.
Colonel Colburn will give you further detailed particulars. I shall try to communicate with Schofield.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS, } HpDQrs. DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
No. 10. Memphis, Tenn., January 10, 1863.
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II. Brig. Gen. C. S. Hamilton is hereby assigned to the command of
the Sixteenth Army Corps, Department of the Tennessee, and will relieve Maj. Gen. S. A. Hurlbut, to enable him to take the benefit of a
leave of absence this day granted him.