FALMOUTH, VA., April
9, 1863.
I have omitted writing for a day or two, as I have been very
much occupied in the ceremonies incidental to the President's visit. I think my
last letter told you he arrived here on Sunday, in the midst of a violent snow
storm. He was to have had a cavalry review on that day, but the weather
prevented it. The next day, Monday, the cavalry review came off; but
notwithstanding the large number of men on parade, the weather, which was
cloudy and raw, and the ground, which was very muddy, detracted from the effect
greatly. Orders were given for an infantry review the next day (Tuesday). I was
invited on this day (Monday) to dine with General Hooker, to meet the President
and Mrs. Lincoln. We had a very handsome and pleasant dinner. The President and
Mrs. Lincoln, Mr. Bates, Secretary of the Interior, a Dr. Henry, of Colorado,
who accompanied the President, Mrs. Stoneman, wife of Major General Stoneman,
besides the corps commanders, constituted the party. The next day, owing to the
ground not being in condition, the infantry review was postponed; but the
President did me the honor to visit my camps and inspect them, and I believe
(leaving out the fatigue) passed a very pleasant day. Yesterday (Wednesday) we
had the grand infantry review, there being out four corps, or over sixty
thousand men. The review passed off very well indeed. The day, during the early
part of it, was not favorable, being cloudy and raw, but after noon the sun
came out and rendered everything more cheerful. Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Griffin
and the two Misses Carroll, together with two other young ladies, having come
down to General Griffin's, I was invited to meet them at dinner, which I did
yesterday evening, and had a very pleasant time. So you see we are trying to
smooth a little the horrors of war. I saw George1 the day of the
cavalry review. He told me he was to have a leave that day, so that he will
undoubtedly be there when this reaches you.
The day I dined with Hooker, he told me, in the presence of
Mr. Bates, Secretary of the Interior, that he (Hooker) had told the President
that the vacant brigadiership in the regular army lay between Sedgwick and
myself. I replied that I had no pretensions to it, and that if I were the
President I would leave it open till after the next battle. The next day, when
riding through the camp, Hooker said the President had told him he intended to
leave this position open till after the next fight.
You have seen the report of the Committee on the Conduct of
the War. It is terribly severe upon Franklin. Still, I took occasion when I had
a chance to say a good word for Franklin to the President, who seemed very
ready to hear anything in his behalf, and said promptly that he always liked
Franklin and believed him to be a true man. The President looks careworn and
exhausted. It is said he has been brought here for relaxation and amusement,
and that his health is seriously threatened. He expresses himself greatly
pleased with all he has seen, and his friends say he has improved already.
__________
1 Son of General Meade.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 363-4
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