CAMP NEAR BROOKS
STATION, VA., December 3, 1862.
As to McClellan's whitewashing of Meigs, if you will read
his letter carefully, you will find he says "he never in any despatch
censured General Meigs; he only said his army wanted clothing, and it had not
been supplied, and he could not move till it was." Now, this is very
ingenious, and is on the principle of the children's expression, "If the
shoe pinches," etc. Still, I am willing to admit — and you know I told his
mother so last August — McClellan has been silent too long. Have you
seen the published extracts from the pamphlet of the Prince de Joinville? This
is the clearest and most reliable vindication of McClellan's military character
which has yet appeared. You do not do me justice in regard to McClellan. I know
and see his faults as well as you do, but I cannot for this reason ignore his
capacity. I am still of the opinion that he has been badly treated, and no
failure on his part to do justice to others will cause me to fail to do justice
to him.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 335
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