HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY
CORPS, December 26, 1862.
After Burnside's return from Washington, which I think took
place about the 23d, he issued an order placing me in command of this corps,
and directing me to report to General Hooker for that purpose. Accordingly I
rode over to Hooker's, on the 24th, and found Butterfield and himself together.
Butterfield observed soon after my arrival, that Hooker had just informed him
of the order assigning me here. I said "Yes, I have come to report for
duty." After a few moments Butterfield left, when Hooker said, "I
told Burnside, when he informed me of his intention, that there was no officer
in the army I would prefer to you, were the corps without a commander and the
question of selection open, but Butterfield having been placed there and having
discharged the duties to my satisfaction, particularly through the late battle,
I deemed myself authorized to ask that he might be retained." He made some
further remarks about nothing personal being intended, and then turned to his
table and issued the order relieving Butterfield, and placing me in command. I
returned to my camp, and yesterday moved over here. After the first ice was
broken, Butterfield was very civil. He insisted on me eating my Christmas
dinner with him, and really had a very handsome entertainment, at which were
present all the division and brigade commanders of the corps. After dinner,
when they had all left, to give Butterfield a chance, I told him I considered
he was fully justified in being disappointed and put out; that if I had been
assigned to a corps in disregard of the rank of others, been retained there for
a month, gone through a battle and then removed on account of rank, I should
myself, as I had experienced in a similar instance, feel very much annoyed and
disgusted, and that I considered such feelings natural. Poor Butterfield then
opened his heart, I having hit the nail on the head, and told me that when
first assigned he went to Burnside and asked whether it was a temporary affair,
or not, as he should arrange matters somewhat differently if he was only to
hold the position till some senior brigadier or major general came along, and
that Burnside assured him positively and distinctly that it was
permanent, and that he should not be disturbed. I said certainly that
aggravated the matter, but that he should not hold me responsible; that the
mistake and misfortune resulted from the injustice that was done me when he was
first assigned, and that General Burnside had told me, per contra, that
he was ignorant at the time that I ranked him (Butterfield). So to-day I have
been installed, and the affair appears to be definitely and satisfactorily
settled.
I have received a very handsome letter from Mr. Dehon,
thanking me most gratefully for all I have done for his poor boy, and speaking
most feelingly of his loss. I really feel for him, for they were wrapped up in
each other.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 341-2
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