On the 29th I wrote fully in support of the proposition.

On the 1st of February I received full instructions from department headquarters to move upon Fort Henry.

On the 2d the expedition started.
In February, 1862, there were quite a good many steamers laid up at Cairo for want of employment, the Mississippi River being closed against navigation below that point.

There were also many men in the town whose occupation had been following the river in various capacities, from captain down to deck hand But there were not enough of either boats or men to move at one time the 17,000 men I proposed to take with me up the Tennessee.

I loaded the boats with more than half the force, however, and sent General McClernand in command.