McClernand's Expedition Page 2

SIR: As it is possible, perhaps probable, that the debarkation
of the Mississippi expedition will be contested by the enemy,
it is considered important that it should be formed in part of
experienced troops. If the expedition should be limited at
first to 20,000 men, one-half or at least one-fourth of that
number should be of such troops, and I think they might be
taken from the Army of the Tennessee (with which I have been
identified) without material detriment to the public service,
particularly if their place should be filled by new troops,
and since the late defeat and dispersion of the enemy in West
Tennessee.
PAGE275 CHAP.XXIX.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.
Taking a few regiments from that army, even if they were only
skeleton ones, and incorporating them with the expedition
would be to impart a martial spirit and tone which would be of
great value to it; hence I recommend that the Eighth,
Eleventh, Fourteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Twentieth,
Twenty-eighth, and Thirtieth Illinois, and Forty-third
Illinois and Thirteenth Iowa, the Seventh and Eighth Missouri,
and Seventy-eighth Ohio be assigned to the expedition. Most,
if not all, of these regiments are sadly reduced and probably
would not average 400 effective men each, giving an aggregate
of only 5,200 men.
Some of the regiments named are still more desirable on
account of the officers commanding them. Among the number of
these officers are Colonel T. E. G. Ransom, of the Eleventh
Illinois; Colonel Crocker, of the Thirteenth Iowaa; Colonel
Leggett, of the Seventy-eighth Ohio, and Colonel C. C. Marsh,
of the Twentieth Illinois, who would make excellent brigade
commanders. I would also name Brigadier General L. F. Ross
and Brigadier General Morgan L. Smith, both now in West
Tennessee, for division commanders; and ask that First
Lieutenant James H. Wilson, of the Topographical Corps, be
assigned to duty as a member of my staff. I think this would
be agreeable to him.
The forces designed for the Mississippi expedition might be
concentrated either at Cairo or Memphis, there being
comparatively little difference in their eligibility as places
of rendezvous and for depots of military supplies.
Your obedient servant,
JOHN A. McCLERNAND,
Major-General.