CAMP NEAR FREDERICK, MD.,
September 13, 1862.
I wrote you yesterday. My letter had hardly left, when
orders came, directing General Reynolds to proceed immediately to Harrisburg,
which of course placed me in command of the division of Pennsylvania Reserves.
Reynolds obeyed the order with alacrity, though very much against his will, and
General Hooker, commanding the corps to which we are attached, made an
immediate and earnest protest against Reynolds's removal. Soon after we marched
to this place, which the enemy retired from on our approach. To-day I have seen
General McClellan, who was very civil and polite. I only saw him for a few
minutes, surrounded by a great crowd; but I saw Seth Williams, who had in his
hands Hooker's protest, and seemed quite surprised that Reynolds had left so
soon. I told Williams very plainly that I saw no occasion for making such an
outcry against Reynolds's removal; that I considered it a reflection on my
competency to command the division, and that if he came back on any such
grounds, I should insist on being relieved.
I am now ready to meet the enemy, for I feel I am in the
position I am entitled to. I should have been delighted to have gone to
Harrisburg in Reynolds's place, as I have no doubt he will get a large command
there.
The enemy have retired in the direction of Hagerstown. Where
they have gone, or what their plans are, is as yet involved in obscurity, and I
think our generals are a little puzzled. Their object in coming here seems to
have been the procuring of food and clothing, as they had laid their hands on
all articles of this description. I suppose we shall have to chase them around,
until we find them in some strong position, when they will give us battle,
which I trust will be before I lose the command of the division.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 309-10
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