Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, August 6,
1863.
I think I told you confidentially that Halleck had ordered
me to halt and cease pursuing Lee, that I had given my judgment against the
measure, but had been over-ruled. I do not know the reason.
The other day, as you saw in the papers, I pushed my cavalry
forward, which alarmed them (the enemy), so that Lee immediately withdrew all
his infantry behind the Rapidan. I am quite sure if I was to advance now, he
would fall back to Richmond. What I fear from the delay is that he will recruit
faster than I, for, from all I can gather, I fear our draft will prove a
perfect failure, and that the few men it does produce will be worthless, and will
desert the first opportunity. As the question never will be settled till their
military power is destroyed, I think it unfortunate we do not take advantage of
their present depression to push them as far as possible.
I think I told you that the President wrote me privately, to
know if I would object to Hooker being assigned to a corps under me, and that I
answered, no. To-day I have a private letter from ____, written undoubtedly at
Halleck's instigation, saying it is reported Hooker is to be sent, provided I
apply for him, and urging me strongly not to do so, on the ground that he will
go to work to get up cliques against me, and to demoralize my army. I have
written to exactly what has occurred, and said that though my relations with
Hooker would not justify me in objecting to his being ordered, yet I had no
idea of applying for him, and I did not think either Hooker or his friends
could or would expect me to do so. It would be very difficult for Hooker to be
quiet under me or any one else, and I sincerely trust some independent command
will be found for him, and that it will not be necessary to send him here.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 141-2
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