Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, April 8, 1864.
The New York Tribune of yesterday informs the world
it has been positively ascertained that I am and have been in constant
correspondence with McClellan, and that this fact has destroyed all my chances
for nomination as major general in the regular army, but it is not believed it
will remove me from command. I know where this canard comes from. Grant
told me that he had received several visits and innumerable letters from that
old crazy man Gurowsky, all to the effect that I was completely under the
influence of McClellan, and in constant correspondence with him, and urging
Grant to relieve me. I saw Historicus's last effort, and was greatly amused at
the very powerful position that he assigned me in the despotism he asserts I
have exercised in the face of the lieutenant general and others.1 I
am sure I ought to be flattered that I am allowed to exercise such powers. It
is a redeeming trait in the powers that be, and in my countrymen, that the base
and persistent attacks on me have so signally failed, principally from the bad
standing of my assailants. As to my being nominated for the regular army, I
never dreamed of it, though I always believed the secret of some of the attacks
on me was to remove a rival from some one who did want and expected to be
nominated.
I think it a pity Philadelphia was so late in getting up its
fair. The subject will be so thoroughly exhausted that people will be tired
with such matters. Still, there seems to be great spirit evinced by those who
have it in charge.
I have now as a guest Lieutenant Colonel Strave, of the
Russian Engineers, who seems a young man of intelligence. He came down with
letters from Mr. Seward and Mr. Stanton.
_______________
1 For article mentioned, see Appendix O. For
General Meade's letter to Colonel G. G. Benedict, of March 16, 1870, on the
battle of Gettysburg, see Appendix V.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 188-9
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