Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, July 15, 1864.
I suppose you are in a great state of excitement on account
of the rebel invasion. I wrote you in my last that I thought it was a serious
affair, and subsequent developments prove it to be so. Day before yesterday I
went down to City Point to see General Grant, having heard a rumor that I was
to be sent to Washington. I found Grant quite serious, but calm. He seemed to
think that with the Sixth Corps from this army, and the Nineteenth from
Louisiana, there would be troops enough, with Hunter's, Couch's and Augur's
commands, not only to defeat the rebels, but to bag them. He said he had not
contemplated sending me to Washington, but if another corps had to go, he would
send me with it. I do not think the position a desirable one, as the difficulty
will be to get the various commands together and harmonize such conflicting
elements. If, however, I am ordered, I will do the best I can. I think Grant
should either have gone himself or sent me earlier. He has given the supreme
command to Wright, who is an excellent officer. I expect that after the rebels
find Washington too strong for them, and they have done all the plundering they
can, they will quietly slip across the Potomac and rush down here to reinforce
Lee, who will then try to throw himself on us before our troops can get back.
I spoke to Grant about the report that I was to be relieved,
and he said he had never heard a word of it, and did not believe there was any
foundation for it, as he would most certainly have been consulted. I have
therefore dismissed the matter as some idle talk from some person with whom the
wish was father to the thought.
Lee has not sent away any of his army, and is doubtless
disappointed that his diversion has not produced a greater weakening of Grant's
army. He confidently expected to transfer the seat of war to Maryland, and
thought his menace of Washington would induce the Government to order Grant back
there with his army.
I was very sorry to hear of Franklin's capture, for his
health is not good, owing to a wound he received in Louisiana, and I fear, if
they send him to Charleston, his health may give way under the confinement in
that climate, or be permanently injured.
Whilst I was writing we have a telegram reporting the
withdrawal of the enemy across the Potomac, Wright in pursuit. Just as I
expected. It also states there is a rumor that Franklin has made his escape,
which I earnestly hope may prove true.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 212-3
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