Headquarters Army Of The Potomac,
South Mountain Pass, July 10, 1863.
I have been so busy I could not write. You must depend on
George1 for letters.
Lee has not crossed and does not intend to cross the river,
and I expect in a few days, if not sooner, again to hazard the fortune of war.
I know so well that this is a fortune and that accidents, etc., turn the tide
of victory, that, until the question is settled, I cannot but be very anxious.
If it should please God again to give success to our efforts, then I could be
more tranquil. I also see that my success at Gettysburg has deluded the people
and the Government with the idea that I must always be victorious, that Lee is
demoralized and disorganized, etc., and other delusions which will not only be
dissipated by any reverse that I should meet with, but would react in
proportion against me. I have already had a very decided correspondence with
General Halleck upon this point, he pushing me on, and I informing him I was
advancing as fast as I could. The firm stand I took had the result to induce
General Halleck to tell me to act according to my judgment.2 I am of
opinion that Lee is in a strong position and determined to fight before he
crosses the river. I believe if he had been able to cross when he first fell
back, that he would have done so; but his bridges being destroyed, he has been
compelled to make a stand, and will of course make a desperate one. The army is
in fine spirits, and if I can only manage to keep them together, and not be
required to attack a position too strong, I think there is a chance for me.
However, it is all in God's hands. I make but little account of myself, and think
only of the country.
The telegram I sent you was because I could not write, and I
thought it would make you easy to know we were well. George, I suppose, has
written you what a narrow escape he had. I never knew of it till last night.
His horse was struck with a piece of shell, killing him, and coming so near
George as to carry away a part of the back of his saddle. This was on the 3d,
just after we had repulsed the last assault, when I rode up to the front, and
George was the only officer with me.
_______________
1Son of General Meade.
2 For correspondence between Halleck and Meade see Appendix
B.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 133-4
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