CAMP NEAR ACQUIA CREEK,
November 24, 1862.
Yesterday, being Sunday, after I had penned a few lines to
you, I determined I would go and see Burnside and ascertain whether there was
any meaning in his recent action. On my way (for Burnside's headquarters were
eight miles off) I accidentally passed Hooker's headquarters, where I at once
stopped and found Hooker at home. Hooker was very civil, asked if you had sent
me a copy of his letter to Halleck, said he had written another since his
return to the army, and that I should have two stars if he could get them. Of
course I thanked Hooker very warmly. I spoke then of the object of my visit to
headquarters, as Butterfield is in Hooker's grand division, and I found them
camping together. Hooker said he thought McClellan had behaved very badly to me
in putting Reynolds over me, as he should have found some other place for
Reynolds. This of course I expected, for from what passed I evidently saw that
all the entente cordiale, if any ever existed, was gone between Hooker
and McClellan. Hooker spoke very freely; said at one time he expected to have
the Army of the Potomac, but that Halleck would not go West, though McClellan
was willing to return to Washington as general in chief. Hooker gave one or two
hits at Burnside, and rather hinted it might not be very long yet before he was
in command. After getting through with my talk with Hooker, I went on to
Burnside's headquarters and saw him, luckily finding him alone. I said,
playfully, I had come to pick a crow with him. About what? he immediately
asked. I told him the state of the case. He promptly assured me he was until
that moment perfectly ignorant that I ranked Butterfield; that he agreed with
me in all I said; that he would rather have me in command of the corps; that
Butterfield's assignment was only temporary; that he would inquire what
probability there was of Sedgwick or any other senior officer being sent, and
if there was none, and there was a probability of the position being open for
any time, that I should certainly have it, as I was the last man he would set
aside or slight in any way. I told him I knew there was no intention on his
part to slight me, or prejudice my rank, and that I felt satisfied when I came,
that he was not aware of the relative rank of Butterfield and myself; indeed,
that it was only within a day or two that I had become apprised of the fact
that Butterfield had the corps, and that I was his only senior present in
command of a division. Hence I had made no written protest and now made no
claim to the command; I had simply come to let him know the true state of the
case, and should leave all further action to him, confiding in his good feeling
always expressed for me. I stayed but a short time, as it was near dark, and I
had eight miles to ride home. I came away, however, quite satisfied there had
been no intention to do me any injustice, and that had Burnside known of the
true state of the case, he would originally have assigned me to the corps. I do
not want it if it is to be for only a few days, to give place to some other
senior, and don't mind not being assigned, now that I am satisfied nothing
personal was meant. Burnside told me the enemy were evidently concentrating
their forces near Fredericksburg, and he thought we should have to fight before
we could advance from there. I cannot believe they will risk a great battle,
under circumstances so favorable for us, as, if they are defeated, at such a
distance from Richmond, they cannot prevent our following them right up to that
city. On the other hand, if we are defeated, we have only fifteen miles to get
back to our gunboats and supplies. We are now waiting to repair the road from
Acquia Creek to Fredericksburg, accumulate supplies and get up our pontoon
bridges, when we will cross the river. I have no doubt they will dispute the passage
of the river and endeavor to check us as much as possible; but whether they
will risk a general battle at or near Fredericksburg remains to be seen.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 331-3
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