FALMOUTH, VA., March
29, 1863.
I received yesterday your letter of the 26th. The same mail
brought me a letter from Franklin. It is evident from Franklin's letter that my
surmise was correct, that he had taken it into his head that I had been talking
to Burnside and furnishing him with data for the controversy. I don't intend to
quarrel with Franklin if I can help it, because I feel that in all this war he
has shown more real regard for me and appreciation for me than any other man. I
have never had any official relations with Franklin, till Fredericksburg, and I
know that he has on numerous occasions referred to me as one who has not been
advanced in proportion to his merits. Besides this feeling, selfish to be sure,
my judgment is that Burnside is making a mistake in holding Franklin
responsible for the disaster at Fredericksburg. Franklin may be chargeable with
a want of energy, with failing, without reference to orders, to take advantage
of a grand opportunity for distinction, with, in fact, not doing more than
he was strictly required to do; but it is absurd to say he failed to obey, or
in any way obstructed the prompt execution of his orders; that is, so far as I
know them.
Burnside says he sent him orders about the middle of the day
to attack with his whole force. Franklin, I understand, denies having
received any such orders. Moreover, Baldy Smith, I hear, has sworn that a day
or two before Franklin was relieved, Burnside told him (Baldy Smith) that he
was going to give up the command of the army and urge the President to put
Franklin in his place. This seems very inconsistent with his subsequent course,
as there is no doubt Franklin's command was taken away from him on the
representations of Burnside. My position, with my friendly feelings for both,
is not only peculiar but embarrassing.
We had some grand races day before yesterday, gotten up by
Birney. I went over there and met Governor Curtin. He returned with me and
inspected several of the Pennsylvania regiments in my command, making little
speeches to each.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 361-2
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