CAMP OPPOSITE FREDERICKSBURG,
August 19, 1862.
My yesterday's
letter announced to you my arrival at this place and my being once more in
harness. I have not yet assumed command of my old brigade, as I am awaiting the
arrival of Reynolds, who ought to have reached here, and whom I am hourly expecting.
I, however, yesterday went amongst them, riding through the camps, and was much
gratified at their turning out by companies and cheering me. I stopped at each
company and said a few words, indicating my gratification at being once more
among them, and commending them for their good conduct in battle. They all
seemed right glad to see me, both officers and men, and I do believe they were
sincere. This is very gratifying, for they had more opportunity of knowing what
I did and what I am than my superior officers.
Burnside returned this morning and received me very
cordially. He is quite different from McClellan in his manners, having great
affability and a winning way with him that attracts instead of repelling strangers.
I have accidentally learned the cause of his absence, which I communicate
confidentially. It appears when McClellan telegraphed, asking to have the
retreat countermanded and an advance ordered, that very sharp messages passed
between him and Halleck. The latter individual immediately sent for Burnside,
stated the case to him, said McClellan misunderstood his feelings and position,
which were of the most friendly nature towards him, but that the matter had
taken such shape that unless he (Burnside) could get McClellan to recede or
explain, that he (Halleck) could not save him from being superseded. Burnside
immediately went down to the James River, and was returning when I saw him this
morning, having, as he thinks, adjusted the difficulty. Burnside is devotedly
attached to McClellan, and would not think of taking his place when it was
offered to him. Burnside says the rear guard had crossed the Chickahominy
before he left, and that the retreat had been conducted in the most masterly
manner, the enemy either not knowing it or else glad to let us go undisturbed.
We hear nothing of the enemy in our vicinity, and they are said to be falling
back from Pope. What they are after now, it is hard to tell. Since I have been
here I have been talking over the battles with different officers, and I am
coming to the conclusion that the Pennsylvania Reserves did save the army, in
the great strategic change of base; that is to say, had it not been for the
Reserves holding the enemy in check on Monday, June 30th, and thus enabling the
different corps to retreat and unite on that night, they (the enemy)
would undoubtedly have broken our centre and divided our forces in two, which
could have been destroyed in detail. Hence the sturdy resistance made by the
Reserves, not permitting the enemy to advance beyond the line of battle, gave
our forces time during the night to retire and concentrate, so that next
morning the enemy found an unbroken line in front of them. From all I can
learn, those that did fight, fought most gallantly and desperately. Of course,
there were a great many (as there always will be) who left the ranks early in
the action.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 303-4
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