Head-quarters, Army Of The Potomac, May 4, 1864.
Soldiers: Again
you are called upon to advance on the enemies of your country. The time and the
occasion are deemed opportune by your Commanding General to address you a few
words of confidence and caution.
You have been re-organized, strengthened and fully equipped
in every respect. You form a part of the several armies of your country, the
whole under the direction of an able and distinguished General, who enjoys the
confidence of the government, the people and the army. Your movement being in
co-operation with others, it is of the utmost importance that no effort should be
left unspared to make it successful.
Soldiers! the eyes of the whole country are looking with
anxious hope to the blow you are about to strike in the most sacred cause that
ever called men to arms.
Remember your homes, your wives and children, and bear in
mind that the sooner your enemies are overcome, the sooner you will be returned
to enjoy the benefits and blessings of peace. Bear with patience the hardships
and sacrifices yon will be called upon to endure. Have confidence in your
officers and in each other. Keep your ranks on the march and on the
battlefield, and let each man earnestly implore God's blessing and endeavor by
his thoughts and actions to render himself worthy of the favor he seeks. With
clear consciences and strong arms, actuated by a high sense of duty, fighting
to preserve the Government and the institutions handed down to us by our
forefathers — if true to ourselves — victory, under God's blessing, must and
will attend our efforts.1
Geo. G. Meade,
Major General
Commanding.
_______________
1 The advance which was about to be made is known
as the “Virginia Campaign of 1864.” It consisted of stubborn, continuous
fighting, with frightful losses. The Army of the Potomac had been reorganized
and reinforced to an aggregate of 127,471 men (O. R.). The Army of Northern
Virginia had an aggregate of about 80,000 men.
SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
36, Part 2 (Serial No. 68), p. 370; George Meade, The Life and Letters
of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 193-4
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