Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, 9 P. M., June 5,
1864.
Since our last battle on the 3d inst. we have been
comparatively quiet. The enemy has tried his hand once or twice at the
offensive, and in each case has been repulsed and severely punished. This evening,
after dark, he made a furious attack, but was everywhere repulsed. The sound of
the artillery and musketry has just died away. Indeed, we are pretty much
engaged all the time, from early in the morning till late at night. I don't
believe the military history of the world can afford a parallel to the
protracted and severe fighting which this army has sustained for the last
thirty days. You would suppose, with all this severe fighting, our severe
losses, constant marches, many in the night, that the physical powers of the
men would be exhausted. I have no doubt in time it will tell on them, but as
yet they show no evidences of it.
I feel a satisfaction in knowing that my record is clear,
and that the results of this campaign are the clearest indications I could wish
of my sound judgment, both at Williamsport and Mine Run. In every instance that
we have attacked the enemy in an entrenched position we have failed, except in
the case of Hancock's attack at Spottsylvania, which was a surprise discreditable
to the enemy. So, likewise, whenever the enemy has attacked us in position, he
has been repulsed. I think Grant has had his eyes opened, and is willing to
admit now that Virginia and Lee's army is not Tennessee and Bragg's army.
Whether the people will ever realize this fact remains to be seen.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 201
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