CAMP ABOVE FALMOUTH, June
6, 1863.
My
last letter told you that my corps had been moved up the river, charged
with the duty of guarding the several crossing places, and preventing, if
possible, the passage of the river by the enemy. General Hooker had received
intelligence which induced him to believe Lee was about attempting a manoeuvre
similar to the one we tried last month. I have consequently been actively
employed riding about, superintending the posting of troops, giving
instructions, etc. As yet everything has been very quiet on our part of the
line. To-day, however, Hooker had reason to believe most of the enemy had left
his immediate front on the heights back of Fredericksburg. He accordingly
undertook to throw a bridge across, where Franklin crossed last December. About
five o'clock yesterday evening we heard heavy firing, which lasted nearly two
hours, which, I understand, was our batteries, endeavoring to drive the enemy
from the rifle-pits they had dug to oppose the construction of the bridge. I do
not know whether we succeeded or not, as, being some miles away, I have no
means of ascertaining. It has been my opinion for some time that Lee would
assume the offensive so soon as he was reinforced sufficiently to justify him
in doing so; but whether he has yet commenced is, I think, not positively
settled. Nor have I quite made up my mind what he will do when he moves. I
should think it would be policy on his part to endeavor to overcome this army
before he undertakes any invasion of the North. His experience of last summer should
teach him the danger of leaving an army on his flank and rear, and if he can
once destroy or cripple this army, he will have no opposition to his progress
of invasion. It is this reasoning which makes me wonder at the supineness
and apathy of the Government and people, leaving this army reduced as it has
been by casualties of battle and expiration of service, and apparently making
no effort to reinforce it.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 382-3
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