Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, September 15, 1864.
General Grant went this morning to Harper's Ferry to visit
Sheridan. There were some indications of a movement on Lee's part yesterday,
but nothing occurring this morning, he went off. He is to be absent, I believe,
some five or six days. What Grant meant by the rebels deserting at the rate of
a regiment a day, referred, I presume, to their desertions in all parts of the
field, and to the present diminished size of their regiments. This would make a
daily desertion of about three hundred. I have no means of knowing what proportion
of this amount is drawn from the returns of other armies; but, in the Army of
the Potomac, ten a day would be a liberal estimate of the deserters who have
come into our lines for some time past. I think Grant was a little hyperbolical
in the expression he used. He is of a very sanguine temperament, and sees
everything favorable in a strong light, and makes light of all obstacles. In
some respects this is an admirable quality, if it is not carried to extremes.
I don't think that I told you that, day before yesterday, I
presented to some soldiers of the Fifth Corps medals of honor, conferred upon
them for good conduct on the field of battle. There was a great ceremony on the
occasion, and I made a few remarks, which I presume will appear in print. The
weather, after being cool, has again become warm. Sickness is beginning to show
itself.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 227-8
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