McClernand's Expedition Page 16

HEADQUARTERS,
Springfield, Ill., November 10, 1862.
Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
I received the order of the Secretary of War on the 21st
ultimo at Washington to proceed to Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa
and take measures for the preparation of the Mississippi
expedition.
Leaving Washington on the morning of the 22nd I arrived at
Indianapolis on the 23d, and on the same day had an interview
with Governor Morton, who responded cordially to the project
of the proposed expedition.
Leaving Indianapolis on the 24th I arrived at this place on
the morning of the 25th, and immediately sought an interview
with Governor Yates, who also responded with similar
assurances.
As soon as the necessary dispatches could be prepared I
immediately sent Major Scates, assistant adjutant-general, to
Iowa, to see and confer with Governor Kirkwood, who also
entered zealously into the project.
When I reached here the impendency of the late election in
this State, and the interest felt in it by State officials, in
some degree impeded my efforts to forward the troops remaining
within the State.
I should also state in further explanation of the tardiness
attending enlistments that the scarcity of necessary labor
caused by the very great number of troops sent from this State
has hardly left any of the
Page335 Chap.XXIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. - UNION.
adult male population behind at liberty to leave their homes.
Yet within the short space of sixteen days I have completed
the organization, mustered, and forwarded from the different
camps in Illinois six regiments of infantry and one six-gun
battery to Columbus, Ky., and six regiments of infantry and
one six-gun battery to Memphis, Tenn.
From Indiana I have forwarded five regiments of infantry and
from Iowa three, also to Columbus, Ky. In addition to these
organizations already forwarded there is another regiment of
infantry in Illinois now under marching orders, and three
others in the same State will be mustered by the middle of the
current week; and ten more in Iowa, as I am informed, are only
lacking overcoats, which I hope soon to furnish. Besides
these, probably by the 15th instant twelve or more regiments
from Illinois and Iowa may be moved, making twenty regiments
of infantry and two batteries gone and twelve nearly ready to
go. Four other regiments of infantry, six of cavalry, and four
companies of artillery are being enlisted in Illinois, and two
other regiments of infantry in Iowa.
Although enlistments in Illinois are less tardy than before
the election, yet the probable delay that will attend the
completion of the cavalry and artillery organizations has
induced me to recommend to Governor Yates the consolidation of
all such deficient organizations after the 20th instant, in
order that such as may be completed by this process may be
hastened to the field.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. MCCLERNAND,
Major-General, U. S. Volunteers.