CAMP OPPOSITE
FREDERICKSBURG, VA., December 23, 1862.
Burnside returned last night from Washington, and to-day he
has issued an order placing me in command of the Fifth Army Corps. As this step
has not been taken without considerable deliberation, and after consultation
with Halleck and the Secretary, I am in hopes that it will be more permanent
than my assignment to the First Corps, which lasted only ten days. Burnside
says they treated him very well in Washington, which I don't doubt, after
seeing his letter to Halleck, wherein he assumes all the responsibility of the
recent movement and failure. To-day's Washington National Republican comes
out openly, denouncing him as incompetent, and demanding he either resign or be
removed. I think he would personally have no objection to their removing him,
and that he is quite independent of them; willing to remain if they let him
alone, but perfectly willing to retire if they desire him to. On my way to
Burnside's to-day I called and picked up George,1 whom I carried
with me and introduced him to Burnside. Alexander Coxe got back yesterday, and
brought the champagne I ordered, and I immediately sent for Franklin, Smith,
Reynolds, Brooks and others to join in celebrating my promotion. Whereupon it
was unanimously agreed that Congress ought to establish the grade of lieutenant
general, and that they would all unite in having me made one, provided I would
treat with such good wine. To-morrow I report to Hooker and take command.
__________
1 Son of General Meade.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 341
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