Headquarters Army Of Potomac
March 30, 1864
I am pretty well, I
thank you, and not so blue as when I came back the other time, perhaps because
the generals are here and it is not so utterly triste. However, I am
fain to say I draw invidious comparisons between it and home, mais that
helps nothing. There have been marvellous changes within these three weeks.
Generals Sykes, Newton, French, and Pleasonton are ordered off. I do feel sorry
for Sykes, an excellent soldier, always sure to do his duty, and with this army
for a long time. I fear they displaced him at Washington because they disliked
his rough manners. General Pleasonton was always very civil to me and I am
sorry therefore to see him go. I have not yet got it clearly in my head how the
corps have been shifted about, but I suppose I shall in a few days. ...
The latest joke is the heavy sell that has been practised on
some regiments of “Heavy Artillery,” which had reenlisted and had been sent
home to recruit. Now these gentry, having always been in fortifications, took
it for granted they should there continue; consequently the patriotic rush of
recruits (getting a big bounty) was most gratifying; one regiment swelled to
1900; another to 2200, etc., etc. Bon! Then they returned to the forts
round Washington, with the slight difference that the cars kept on, till they
got to Brandy Station; and now these mammoth legions are enjoying the best of
air under shelter-tents! A favorite salutation now is, “How are you, Heavy Artillery?”
For Chief of Cavalry we are to have a General Sheridan, from the West. He is, I
believe, on his way. If he is an able officer, he will find no difficulty in
pushing along this arm, several degrees. . . .
SOURCE: George R. Agassiz, Editor, Meade’s
Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness
to Appomattox, p. 80-1
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