CAMP OPPOSITE
FREDERICKSBURG, May 27, 1862.
Yesterday General Reynolds's brigade was moved over the
river to occupy the town of Fredericksburg, and we changed our camp to near the
bridges, so that, in case of necessity, we could be rapidly thrown over.
Although we only marched three or four miles, yet a thorough change of camp is
always a great job, for notwithstanding we are prepared to move at any time,
still we stick our stakes so firmly in the ground, when we do halt, that it is
a labor to pull them up. McDowell left last night for Washington, where they
appear to be paralyzed with fear at the audacity of the enemy falling on Banks
with a superior force. It is whispered that McDowell was peremptorily ordered
to return to Manassas and Alexandria, and to establish his headquarters at
Washington City. He immediately took a train for Washington to enter his
protest against such an injudicious move, and urge his being reinforced and
authorized to move on. It was only the other day the Government disbanded two
regiments of Indiana volunteers, who being twelve-months' men, their time had
expired. These men were willing and desirous of re-enlisting for the war, but
the Department refused to re-enlist, saying the Government had more men in
service than it really needed. To-day they are crying out for any one to come
to Washington to save them. The truth is, we must expect disaster, so long as
the armies are not under one master mind. In nothing is the old adage so fully
verified as in matters military, "that too many cooks spoil the
broth." The enemy by their razzia (as I think it is called) sometimes raid
or foray against Banks, have most beautifully succeeded in knocking all
McDowell's plans into a cocked hat, and now they are at leisure, so far as any
co-operation from this army (for it was an army) is concerned, to do what they
please against McClellan. I hope the latter will be able to drive them from
Richmond, when perhaps the Government may for awhile be easy on the score of
Washington. From all appearances, we will have to remain here, if not fall back
to Manassas and Alexandria.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 268-9
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