Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, December 28, 1863.
I was very sorry I could not be at home to spend Christmas
with you and the children, but was glad to let George1 go. I spent a
very quiet day in camp, attending to the business of re-enlisting the veteran
volunteers, to which I had to give much personal attention, as I had let
Williams, Humphreys, and many others, go to Washington to spend the day.
Yesterday General Hancock arrived. He has been with me all
the time since his arrival, and we have had a long talk. He says it was
undoubtedly intended at first to relieve me, and it was, as I surmised,
intimated to him that he would be placed in command. Such was his impression
till the day before he came down, when, on reporting to Halleck, he was told
the design was abandoned, and that he could go down to his old corps. Hancock
further says that Halleck declares he saved me; that they were going to relieve
me at once on the receipt of the intelligence that I had returned; but that he,
Halleck, said, “No, an officer who gained the battle of Gettysburg is entitled
to more consideration. Let us wait and hear what General Meade has to say, and
if his report is not satisfactory, then we can act advisedly.” This was agreed
to, and the unanimous opinion of all returning officers, together with my
report, changed the whole aspect of the case. I must say I am gratified some
little consideration was extended towards me and that justice was finally
awarded.
I understand there is a bitter article in Wilkes's Spirit
of the Times, asserting that Hooker planned the campaign of Gettysburg, and
that Butterfield wrote all the orders for the movements, in accordance with
Hooker's plans.2 I furthermore hear that General Sickles asserts
that Hancock selected the position, and that he (Sickles), with his corps, did
all the fighting at Gettysburg. So, I presume, before long it will be clearly
proved that my presence on the field was rather an injury than otherwise.
The President has written me that he desires to see me upon
the subject of executing deserters; so, as soon as I can get time, I shall have
to go up to Washington.
_______________
1 Son of General Meade.
2 For article mentioned, see Appendix G.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 163-4
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