Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, December 16, 1863.
I received yesterday your letter of the 13th inst., and
would have answered it at once, but about 2 P. M. we had a sudden invasion of
Muscovites, some twenty-four officers of the fleet visiting the army, and I had
to give them my attention till after 10 P. M., when they returned to Alexandria.
I had the Sixth Corps paraded and some artillery to show them. We had great fun
with them in mounting them on horseback, which they all insisted on attempting;
but we had not proceeded far before one was thrown and some half a dozen ran
away with. After the review we gave them some dinner, with plenty of brandy and
whisky, and, making them jolly, sent them back highly delighted with their
visit and reception. They appeared intelligent and gentlemanly, almost all
speaking English quite well. The admiral did not honor us, Captain Bourtakoff
being the senior officer with the party.
I presume you have seen how highly honored I have been in
having my name associated with General Hooker by Mr. Wilson, in the Senate, in
a vote of thanks for the Gettysburg campaign. Why they confined the including
of my predecessors to Hooker I am at a loss to imagine. He certainly had no
more to do with my operations and success at Gettysburg than either Burnside or
McClellan; but I presume Mr. Wilson, who is a great friend and admirer of
Hooker, was a little doubtful of a distinct resolution on his behalf getting
through.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 161
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