McClernand's Expedition Page 26

HEADQUARTERS,
Springfield, Ill., December 2, 1862.
HonorableE. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
In pursuance of the authority with which you were pleased to
vest me, and agreeably to your expressed wish, I have
diligently striven to provide for the adequate increase of the
cavalry arm of the proposed Mississippi expedition; but in
consequence of the large draft made upon the male population
of military age for the prosecution of the war, and of
impediments interposed by the great demand for labor to carry
on industrial pursuits, have not succeeded to the desired
extent.
In view of this fact I would respectfully suggest a different
mode of accomplishing the same object. I would provide horses
or mules with equipments complete to mount at least one-fifth
of the whole infantry force of the expedition; or, if horses
or mules cannot be purchased in time, I would seize such as
might be found in the possession of disloyal citizens in the
hostile districts through which the column might pass.
Inferior animals of the description mentioned would answer, if
the best could not be had, as they would only be used
occasionally to meet an emergency requiring the rapid
conveyance of infantry from one place to another. Of course
the men would dismount in action.
I any event, however, saddle-blankets, bridles, rope for
halters, nosebags, and supers would be required.
If it should be objected that such service would tend to
demoralize the infantry (not so upon the plan I propose) I
would not charge them with the care of the animals except when
using them. At all other times they should be cared for by
slaves seeking refuge in my camp, or who had been impressed
for that purpose.
Thus mounted, the infantry would be prepared to perform the
double duty of men on foot and on horseback. By rapid
movements they could retard the advance of the foe, cut his
communications, destroy his trains, and harass him at every
step. In like manner they could rapidly pursue a retreating
foe and continually annoy and distress him. To add to their
efficiency I would also provide them with a suitable number of
mountain howitzers to meet any demand for artillery service;
and for the same purpose I would supply each battalion of
cavalry with two pieces of the same character.
If an example was required to illustrate the soundness of
these views I might refer to the success of the enemy in
capturing our forces at Murfreesborough, in Tennessee; in
overrunning Kentucky, and in signalizing these frequent raids
by the spoils torn from peaceful citizens.
Another question of great importance relates to the means to
be employed to transport army supplies. While it might not be
advisable to curtail the complement of wagons and teams
allowed to each regimental and other organization of the
forces, yet it is deemed highly important that suitable
provision should be made for converting the team animals into
pack animals whenever occasion might require it. Indeed such
provision is deemed indispensable to certainty and celerity of
movement
PAGE376 WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS. [CHAP. XXIX.
in the country in which it is supposed the column will operate
during the rainy season. Without it the frequent construction
of roads and bridges over low and marshy grounds much
necessarily cause much delay and disappointment.
The pack animals, properly equipped, can carry a burden of
200, even 300, pounds 20 miles a day. The equipments should
consist of packsaddles, with straps or ropes for fastening the
pack, and nose-bags-at least sixty to each regiment.
Your obedient servant,
JOHN A. McCLERNAND,
Major-General and Superintendent Mustering Service.