War of the Rebellion: Serial 036 Page 0011 Chapter XXXVI. GENERAL REPORTS.
COLONEL: Herewith I inclose you copy of General Orders, Number 13, from these headquarters, and of correspondence between General McClernand and myself, growing out of it.
It is due to myself to state that I am not ambitious to have this or any other command. I am willing to do all in my power in any position assigned me.
If General Sherman had been left in command here, such is my confidence in him that I would not have though my presence necessary. But whether I do General McClernand injustice or not, I have not confidence in his ability as a soldier to conduct an expedition of the magnitude of this one successfully. In this opinion I have no doubt but I am borne out by a majority of the officers of the expedition, though I have not questioned one of them on the subject.
I respectfully submit this whole matter to the General-in-Chief and the President. Whatever the decision made by them, I will cheerfully submit to and give a hearty support.
GENERAL ORDERS, Number 13. HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE TENNESSEE, In Field, Young's Point, La., January 30, 1863.
*See Series I, VOL. XVII, Part I, p. 476, and Part II, p. 555.