Camp, June 11,1863.
This army is weakened, and its morale not so good as
at the last battle, and the enemy are undoubtedly stronger and in better morale.
Still, I do not despair, but that if they assume the offensive and force us
into a defensive attitude, that our morale will be raised, and with a
moderate degree of good luck and good management, we will give them better than
they can send. War is very uncertain in its results, and often when affairs
look the most desperate they suddenly assume a more hopeful state. See the changes
and transitions at Vicksburg, to say nothing of our own experience. This makes
me hope that it will be our turn next time. The day before yesterday
Pleasanton, with all the cavalry and two brigades of infantry, crossed just
above us, and had a very brilliant affair with the enemy's cavalry, who it
appears were just ready and about starting on a grand raid, some say into
Pennsylvania.1 They outnumbered us, but after handling them pretty
severely, Pleasanton came back. The Lancers particularly distinguished
themselves, though I am sorry to hear with considerable loss.2 It is said Major Morris3 is
missing, supposed to have been thrown from his horse and fallen into the enemy's
hands. Captain Davis4 was killed. Lennig5 is missing,
believed to be wounded. Captain Leiper6 is missing. Lieutenant Ellis7
is wounded. Lieutenant Colladay,8 missing. Charley Cadwalader9
was with them, also Captain Dahlgren, of General Hooker's staff. This latter
officer says he was with Morris, and had just jumped a ditch, when his horse
was shot. On dismounting, and looking around, he saw Morris's horse without a
rider, and he thinks Morris was thrown in jumping the ditch. Charles Coxe10
is all right, so also is Willie White,11 who had two horses shot
under him, and broke two sabres. Newhall12 was on Pleasanton's
staff, and was not with the regiment when it made a dashing and gallant charge
on a battery, getting hi among the guns, which they would have captured had
they been promptly supported. Harry Winsor13 is safe, also Welsh.14
I am glad the regiment has had a chance and so brilliantly availed themselves
of it. George15 is quite disgusted with his luck, but I tell him a
live dog is better than a dead lion.
The backing out of Burnside's course towards the Chicago Times
looks suspicious on the part of the President. If peace can be secured
without loss of honor, no one would be more rejoiced than I; but I do not see
how this can be brought about, with matters as they stand at present. If we
could only thoroughly whip these fellows two or three times, regular
out-and-out defeats; but I don't advocate peace until we have clearly shown
them, as we ought to have done long since, our superiority in the field. I can
hardly expect you to enter fully into these views, but if you had been
humiliated as I have been by seeing your cause and party defeated when they
should be victorious, you would be roiled, too, and would not be willing to
give up till things assumed an aspect more consistent with your pride and
honor.
We are now on the qui vive to know what the enemy are
going to do. I am removed from Hooker's headquarters and know nothing of what
is going on, either of plans or surmises. In some respects this is convenient,
as I am spared much speculation. In other respects it is not so agreeable,
because I like to form my own judgment on what is going on, and to make my
preparations accordingly. If Lee is going to assume the offensive, I presume he
will not long delay; but whether he will move to our right, trying to get
between us and Washington, or whether he will move up the valley as he did last
summer, or whether he will attack us here, are questions the future only can
solve. All we can do is to be on the lookout and ready. Perhaps Hooker may find
a chance to assume the offensive and reverse matters, as the enemy did at
Chancellorsville. This I think would be good luck for us.
_______________
1 Battle of Brandy Station, Va., June 9, 1863.
2 "Rush's Lancers," 6th Pa. Cav.
3 Robert Morris, Jr., of Philadelphia, captured
and died in Libby Prison.
4 Charles B. Davis, of Philadelphia.
5 Thompson Lennig, of Philadelphia.
6 Charles L. Leiper, of Philadelphia.
7 Rudolph Ellis, of Philadelphia.
8 Samuel R. Colladay.
9 Charles E. Cadwalader, of Philadelphia.
10 Charles B. Coxe, of Philadelphia.
11 William White, of Philadelphia.
12 Frederick C. Newhall, of Philadelphia.
13 Henry Winsor, Jr., of Boston.
14 Osgood Welsh, of Philadelphia.
15 Son of General Meade.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 1, p. 383-5
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