CAMP PIERPONT, VA., November
17, 1861.
I went into town yesterday to attend to my Lake Survey
accounts at the Treasury, which I believe are now all explained satisfactorily,
so that should anything happen to me, you will remember that my public accounts
are all settled, and that my vouchers, etc., are in a tin box in Major Woodruff's
office, Topographical Bureau.
People who think the war is about to close, because we have
achieved one signal success, are very short-sighted. I agree with you in
thinking it has only just begun. Think of Percy Drayton1 firing into
a fort commanded by his own brother!2 Is not this enough to make one
heartsick? We hear the news of the capture of Messrs. Mason and Slidell.3
I hope their being taken out of a British mail packet will not bring us into
trouble with John Bull. If it is true that he is disposed to quarrel with us,
this gives him a very pretty chance to begin.
November 17—9 P.
M.
The foregoing part of my letter was written this A. M.
General Brooks dined with us, we having a nice green goose for dinner. General
McCall paid me a visit during the afternoon, but had no news to communicate.
Every one is speculating, but no one knows what is going to be done; all we can
do is to wait patiently.
I am very much pleased with Hamilton Kuhn. He is a gentleman
and intelligent, and it is quite refreshing to have him for an associate.
__________
1
Percival Drayton commanded the Pocahontas in the Port Royal, S. C.,
expedition November 7, 1861.
2 Thomas
F. Drayton, brigadier-general C. S. A. Led the Confederate troops in the Port
Royal expedition.
3
Commissioners from the Confederate States Government sent to Great Britain and
France, and captured by the United States Government on the British steamer Trent,
November 8, 1862.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon
Meade, Vol. 1, p. 228
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