CAMP PIERPONT, VA., November
14, 1861.
I am very badly off for horses. The horse3 I
first got has been an excellent horse in his day, but General Hunter broke him
down at Bull Run.4 The other one has rheumatism in his legs, and has
become pretty much unserviceable. This has always been my luck with horses; I
am never fortunate with them. I should like much to have a really fine horse,
but it costs so much I must try to get along with my old hacks.
I am very well satisfied with all my staff, and believe I
have as nice a set of gentlemen as any brigadier in the field. Both Kuhn and
Watmough are particularly clever fellows, and Captain Baird is a very nice
fellow, too. We all get along most harmoniously and only want a little more to
do. You have of course rejoiced over the glorious achievement of our navy at
Port Royal.
__________
3 “Baldy,” remained with General Meade in the
field until the spring of 1864. He was wounded twice at the first battle of
Bull Run under General Hunter, and under General Meade he was wounded in the
flank at the second battle of Bull Run, shot through the neck at Antietam,
wounded at Fredericksburg, and again at Gettysburg, the ball remaining in his
body. In the spring of 1864, General Meade, fearing that he might become an
embarrassment in the campaign which was about to commence, sent him to
Philadelphia, where he outlived his master.
4 First battle of Bull Run, Va., July 21, 1861.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon
Meade, Vol. 1, p. 227
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