Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, August 13, 1864.
Grant was here yesterday to transact some business. I
immediately asked him, how, after his promise to me, that if a military
division was organized, I should be assigned to the command, he has placed my junior,
Sheridan, there. He said Sheridan had not been assigned to the division, that
no one was yet assigned to it, and that Sheridan had only been put in command
of the troops in the field belonging to the different departments. I referred
him to the order constituting the division, and assigning Sheridan temporarily
to the command, and observed that temporarily I supposed meant as long as there
was anything to do, or any object in holding the position. I further remarked
that I regretted it had not been deemed a simple matter of justice to me to
place me in this independent command. To which he made no remark. I really am
not able to ascertain what are his real views. Sometimes I take the dark side,
and think they are intentionally adverse to me, and at others I try to make
myself believe that such is not his purpose. In confirmation of the last
theory, I am of the opinion that he does not look and has not looked upon the
movement in Maryland and the Valley in the important light it deserves, and
that he considers it merely a raid which a display of force on our part will
soon dissipate, when Sheridan and the troops will soon return here. But in this
he is greatly mistaken. Already we have positive news that Lee has sent large
reinforcements into the Valley, and there is no doubt it is his purpose to
transfer the principal scene of operations there, if it can be accomplished.
To-morrow we are going to make a move to test his strength here, and endeavor
to make him recall his troops. Should this fail, we will be obliged to go up
there and leave Richmond.
The weather continues intensely hot.
The court of inquiry was going on, but this move will stop
it, and I fear it will never come to an end. I have given my testimony, which I
will send you to preserve as my record in the case. I have insisted on
Burnside's being relieved. Grant has let him go on a leave, but he will never
return whilst I am here.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 221-2
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