Willis A. Gorman to Samuel R. Curtis, January 24, 1863

Maj. Gen. SAMUEL R. CURTIS, Commanding Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.: GENERAL: I am again permanently in position at this post. General Fisk is now all ready with a division of six regiments of infantry, three companies of cavalry, and First Missouri Battery, leaving me in command of less than 5,000 effective men. I trust you will allow me to have Generals Hovey and Washburn, and so arrange it as not to send to this post any brigadier that ranks either of them. They are eminently unexceptionable officers, and we harmonize well. One, you know, commands the cavalry; the other the infantry. Hovey has a very slim division of infantry, and Washburn a very slim division of cavalry. This organization, you will perceive, is made as a compliment to their rank, and to dignify their commands. General Fisk would like to have staid with me, but General McClernand’s orders, predicated upon General Grant’s, asked for General Fisk’s forces, and I gave them as requested. I send this, fearing the public dispatches may not reach you. I am, general, very truly, your friend,

_ W. A. GORMAN,