Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, April 13, 1864.
Grant has not given an order, or in the slightest degree
interfered with the administration of this army since he arrived, and I doubt
if he knows much more about it now than he did before coming here. It is
undoubtedly true he will go with it when it moves, and will in a measure control
its movements, and should success attend its operations, that my share of the
credit will be less than if he were not present. Moreover, whilst I have no
doubt he will give me all the credit I am entitled to, the press, and perhaps
the public, will lose sight of me in him. Nevertheless he is so much
more active than his predecessor, and agrees so well with me in his views, I
cannot but be rejoiced at his arrival, because I believe success to be the more
probable from the above facts. My position before, with inadequate means, no
power myself to increase them, and no effort made by others to do so, placed me
in a false position, causing me to be held responsible, when in fact I could do
nothing. My duty is plain, to continue quietly to discharge my duties, heartily
co-operating with him and under him.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 189
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