HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY
CORPS, January 4, 1863.
I was at general headquarters yesterday, and from what I
heard I suspect an advance is not far off. Burnside had just received the
telegram announcing the fight at Murfreesboro', and was chafing under the fear
that part of Lee's forces in his front had been detached to help Joe Johnston
down there. I told him I had no idea they had gone that far, and thought it
more likely they had gone to assist in an attack on Gloucester Point or
Suffolk, where we yesterday heard there was fighting.
Hooker has gone up to Washington, for what purpose I do not
know, but I guess to see what chance he has for the command, in case Burnside
is removed, although he asserts most positively that he will not command this army.
I despair more and more of getting off, it is now so late and so much time has
passed. Reynolds got back yesterday; he said he had seen you and the children
in Philadelphia, but did not have much to say. He is a man of very few words.
Baldy Smith has returned, and Franklin is off for a few days.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 345-6
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