Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, March 10, 1864.
The storm in which I have been involved seems to be
subsiding, as I note the Tribune now says that no charges were preferred
against me by General Sickles or Doubleday. Tell General Gibbon that I have
received his letter, and am greatly obliged to him for his gallantry and daring
in coming out so boldly in my defense; but I do not wish him to compromise
himself, and affairs are becoming complicated.
I think I wrote you on my return from Washington I found a
polite note from Reverdy Johnston, saying he had assumed the responsibility of
denying Mr. Wilkinson's statement, and asking me if he was not right. This act
of courtesy I considered entitled to an acknowledgment, so I replied to Mr.
Johnston, and explained to him wherein I thought Mr. Wilkinson had been misled.
This letter, it appears, Mr. Johnston showed to his friends, and its receipt
was announced in Forney's Chronicle. To-day I got a sharp letter from
the Secretary of War, asking by what authority I wrote to Senators on military
operations. I have replied my note was private and not intended for publication
or circulation, and that I was not aware I required any authority to write
private letters defending myself from the false and slanderous reports with
which the public press has been filled for a week, particularly as the military
operations referred to took place nine months ago, and the official reports
have been published. This may involve me in trouble with the Secretary, but I
cannot help it; I will not yield my right to defend myself.
To-day Lieutenant General Grant arrived here. He has been
very civil, and said nothing about superseding me.
I go to-morrow to Washington, and shall go again before the
committee, to add to my testimony.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 176-7
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