Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, March 14, 1864.
I wrote you, I
think, on the
evening of the 10th, the day Grant was here. It rained all that day, and as
he could not see anything, he determined to return to Washington the next day.
The President having invited both General Grant and myself to dinner on
Saturday, the 12th, I had of course to go up to Washington, and as I wanted to
add to my testimony to the committee, I concluded to go up with General Grant.
When I arrived, I immediately went before the committee and filed documentary
evidence to prove the correctness of my previous assertion that I never for an
instant had any idea of fighting anywhere but at Gettysburg, as soon as I
learned of Reynolds's collision and obtained information that the ground was
suitable. Mr. Wade was the only member present. He took great pains to endeavor
to convince me the committee were not responsible for the newspaper attacks on
me, and I might rest assured there was no disposition on their part to do me
injustice. Afterwards I saw Mr. Stanton, who told me Mr. Wade had been to see
him, and said my testimony was the clearest statement that had ever been made
to the committee, and that, as far as he could see, it was perfectly
satisfactory in explanation of all charges against me. I soon found the tide
had turned in my favor, and that Sickles had overreached himself. I also
ascertained that Chandler and Wilkinson were my foes on the committee, that
Wade was rather friendly, and that Harding, of the Senate, Gooch and Odell, of
the House, were my warm friends.
I think I wrote to
you that the Secretary had officially inquired of me by what authority I had
written to Hon. Reverdy Johnston, a Senator, about military affairs, and that I
had replied to him I did not require any authority to write a private letter to
a friend, defending myself from slanders. When I saw Mr. Stanton I referred to
this matter, when he told me his letter had been written in my interest; that I
had made a great mistake in writing to Mr. Johnston, who was showing it to
everybody, and making it appear he was my chosen champion; and that his
political status was such that any identification with him could not fail to
damage me and my cause. He said he was aware of how I had been led into the
step, and all he wanted was just such a reply as I had made, which he would now
show to Senators and Representatives when they called on him to know what my
relations were with Reverdy Johnston. I fortunately met Mr. Johnston in the
street, begged him to consider my letter strictly private, and borrowed it to
copy for file in the War Department.
I think I told you
I was very much pleased with General Grant. In the views he expressed to me he
showed much more capacity and character than I had expected. I spoke to him
very plainly about my position, offered to vacate the command of the Army of
the Potomac, in case he had a preference for any other. This he declined in a
complimentary speech, but indicated to me his intention, when in this part of
the country, of being with my army. So that you may look now for the Army of
the Potomac putting laurels on the brows of another rather than your husband.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 177-8
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