Headquarters Army of The Potomac, September 25, 1864.
To-day we had a visit from Mr. Secretary Seward and Mr.
Congressman Washburn. I had some little talk with Mr. Seward, who told me that at
the North and at the South, and everywhere abroad, there was a strong
conviction the war would soon terminate, and, said he, when so many people,
influenced in such different ways, all unite in one conviction, there must be
reason to believe peace is at hand. He did not tell me on what he founded his
hopes, nor did I ask.
Sheridan's defeat of Early will prove a severe blow to the
rebs, and will, I think, compel them to do something pretty soon to retrieve
their lost prestige. There have been rumors they were going to evacuate
Petersburg, and I should not be surprised if they did contract their lines and
draw in nearer Richmond. I never did see what was their object in defending
Petersburg, except to check us; it had no other influence, because, if we were
able to take Richmond, we could take Petersburg; and after taking the one when
resisted, the other would be more easily captured.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 230
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