I begged him, for the sake of harmony, to waive that, which he promised to do.

Returning to the cabin, the conversation was resumed, and, on our offering to tow his gunboats up the river to save coal, and on renewing the request for Shirk to command the detachment, Porter said, "Suppose I go along myself ?" I answered, if he would do so, it would insure the success of the enterprise.
At that time I supposed General McClernand would send me on this business, but he concluded to go himself, and to take his whole force.

Orders were at once issued for the troops not to disembark at Milliken's Bend, but to remain as they were on board the transports.

My two divisions were commanded--the First, by Brigadier-General Frederick Steele, with three brigades, commanded by Brigadier-Generals F.P.Blair, C.E.Hooey, and J.M.

Thayer; the Second, by Brigadier-General D.Stuart, with two brigades, commanded by Colonels G.A.Smith and T.Kilby Smith.
The whole army, embarked on steamboats convoyed by the gunboats, of which three were iron-clads, proceeded up the Mississippi River to the mouth of White River, which we reached January 8th.