Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, November 9, 1863.
When I last wrote to you I thought we were on the eve of a
great battle, and I was also under the impression that the work I had before me
was likely to prove a very severe task. The enemy occupied very strong
positions on the Rappahannock, which at one place I knew were strongly entrenched,
and I believed they were so at other points. Thanks, however, to their being
entirely deceived as to my capacity to move, and to the gallantry of my men, we
were enabled to carry their strong works and to force the passage of the river
(considered one of the most critical operations in war), with a comparatively
small loss, and with great eclat, as we captured four guns, eight battle
flags and nearly two thousand prisoners. The operation being successful, the
army is in fine spirits, and of course I am more popular than ever, having been
greeted yesterday as I rode through the ranks with great cheering; and my
having forced the passage of the Rappahannock and compelled Lee to retire to
the Rapidan, will I trust convince the intelligent public that my retreat to
Centreville was not to avoid battle, and that Lee, who was not outflanked, or
had his communications threatened, but was attacked in front, and yet withdrew,
is really the one who has avoided battle. I certainly expected he would fight,
and can only now account for his not doing so on the ground that he was
deceived as to my strength and construed my sudden and bold advance into an
evidence that I had been strongly reinforced and greatly outnumbered him. I
must say I was greatly disappointed when I found Lee refused my offer of
battle, because I was most desirous of effecting something decisive, and I know
his refusal was only a postponement of a question that had to be met and
decided.
I have received a telegram from the President, expressing his
satisfaction with my operations.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 155-6
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