September 3,
1863.
The expedition has been quite successful; the boats were
found at Port Royal and were destroyed by our artillery fire from this side.
The expedition sent to destroy them consisted of cavalry and artillery, but as
they had to go a long distance, over forty miles from the main part of my army,
I had to send infantry to support them, and to guard the lower crossing places
to prevent the enemy coming over and cutting them off. This has stirred us up a
little. We have also had a visit from Brigadier General Meigs, Quartermaster
General, who has been inspecting the transportation of this army and who has
been pleased to express himself very much gratified with all he has seen. The
conscripts continue to come in very slowly, and I fear it will be some time
before I am in a condition to move with any prospect of being able to
accomplish anything.
I think I told you that one of William Parker's1
sons was on my staff. The other day he paid a visit to his regiment, and on
his return must have been captured, as nothing has since been heard of him. I
have written Cortlandt2 about it, but I fear the news of his
disappearance got into the papers before my letter reached him, as I received a
telegram to-day from his father enquiring about it.
I sent up my sword and fixings, but at the request of our
express agent, it is to be exhibited for a short time at Gait's jewelry shop,
in Washington.
_______________
1 First cousin of General Meade.
2 Cortlandt Parker, brother of William Parker.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 146-7
No comments:
Post a Comment