City Point,
Virginia,
December 23,
1864.
I see some objections are raised to Meade's confirmation as major-general
in the regular army. What the objections are I do not know, and cannot
therefore address myself to them. I am very sorry this should be so. General
Meade is one of our truest men and ablest officers. He has been constantly with
that army, confronting the strongest, best-appointed, and most confident army
in the South. He therefore has not had the same opportunity of winning laurels
so distinctively marked as have fallen to the lot of other generals. But I defy
any one to name a commander who could do more than he has done with the same
chances. I am satisfied that with a full knowledge of the man, what he has
done, and the circumstances attending all his military acts, all objections
would be removed. I wrote a letter to Senator Wilson to-day in his behalf which
I hope will have some weight. If you can put in a word with some of the other
Senators, particularly those who oppose his confirmation, and are willing to do
it, I will feel much obliged.
SOURCE: James Grant Wilson, Editor, General Grant’s
Letters to a Friend 1861-1880, p. 41-2
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