BARNUM'S, BALTIMORE, MD.,
August 12, 1862.
I arrived here this morning at seven o'clock. I was very
well received here by all the people at this house, particularly by the office
clerk in spectacles, who said he had seen and attended to you. He says _____ told them a piece of a shell
had struck me in the body, passing through and through. It was not therefore
unreasonable that people generally should have considered my case a desperate
one. I had a very pleasant trip on the "Propellor," it being quite
cool and breezy. At St. George's, on the canal, just as I had turned in, I was
informed that a number of Union citizens had assembled on the dock and were
desirous of seeing me, as they had seen me pass through when wounded.
Fortunately the boat was about starting, which, together with my dishabille,
were given as excuses for my non-appearance, and the people of St. George's
were thus saved a most eloquent address. The first person I saw this morning
was Duncan Graham, looking very handsome and very like his brother Willie.
Duncan is on board the "Octorara," Commodore Porter's flagship. After
I had breakfasted, I attended to shifting the baggage and securing my place on
the Old Point boat.
I cannot tell you how miserable and sad I was and am at
parting from you and the dear children, and as the boat pushed off and I saw
those three fine boys standing on the dock, I thought my heart would break. But
it cannot be helped and must be endured, and we must try and bear our trials as
cheerfully as we possibly can.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 301-2
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