CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA.,
May 12, 1863.
I did not suppose you would credit the canard in the
papers about our crossing and Lee's retreating. This story, however, with
minute details, I see is published in Forney's Press, an Administration
organ, that must have known and did know better. It has been circulated for
some purpose, and is doubtless considered a great piece of strategy. There is
no doubt Hooker assured the President that he would soon cross again and repair
all disaster, but I fear he finds the execution of this promise more difficult
than the making. The enemy have all returned to their old positions and they
have been seen to-day busily engaged throwing up dirt and strengthening all the
crossings by additional works, though one would suppose, from the work they had
previously executed, there was no room for more.
To-day I had a visit from Governor Curtin. The Governor is
very much depressed, and I tried to put him in better spirits.
I cannot write you fully in relation to all the recent
operations. All I can say is that Hooker has disappointed the army and myself,
in failing to show the nerve and coup d'oeil at the critical moment,
which all had given him credit for before he was tried. It is another proof of
what a sense of responsibility will do to modify a man's character, and should
be a warning to all of us to be very cautious how we criticise our neighbors,
or predict what we would do ourselves if placed in similar circumstances. My
only fear is that Hooker, goaded by the attacks that are now made on him, may
be induced to take some desperate step in the hope of retrieving his waning
fortunes. At the same time, as I have already told you, he was fully aware when
he ordered the withdrawal of the army, that he was running the risk, and great
risk, of self-sacrifice. For he said he knew his personal interests were
involved in advancing. I believe he acted sincerely, and for what he considered
the interests of the army and the country, but I differed with him in judgment,
and I fear events will confirm my view. I was clearly in favor of tempting the
hazard of the die, and letting Washington take care of itself. I am sorry for
Hooker, because I like him and my relations have always been agreeable with
him; but I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that he has on this occasion missed
a brilliant opportunity of making himself. Our losses are terrible; they are
said to exceed fifteen thousand men, greater than in any other battle or series
of battles, greater than in the whole of the celebrated six days' fighting
before Richmond, and greater than McClellan's Maryland campaign. This large loss,
together with the loss of over twenty thousand nine-months' and two-years' men,
will very materially reduce this army, and unless it be speedily reinforced
will paralyze its movements.
Stoneman's success was very complete, and his whole
operation brilliant in the extreme. The enemy acknowledge he has beaten Stuart,
and that the latter's laurels are faded. Alas, that we should not have taken
advantage of his success! As it is, before we can advance or press them back,
they will have repaired all the damages Stoneman inflicted on them.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 374-5
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