Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, 8 A. M., May 23,
1864.
We expected yesterday to have another battle, but the enemy
refuses to fight unless attacked in strong entrenchments; hence, when we moved
on his flank, instead of coming out of his works and attacking us, he has
fallen back from Spottsylvania Court House, and taken up a new position behind
the North Anna River; in other words, performed the same operation which I did
last fall, when I fell back from Culpeper, and for which I was ridiculed; that
is to say, refusing to fight on my adversary's terms. I suppose now we will
have to repeat this turning operation, and continue to do so, till Lee gets
into Richmond.
I am sorry you will not change your opinion of Grant. I
think you expect too much of him. I don't think he is a very magnanimous man,
but I believe he is above any littleness, and whatever injustice is done me,
and it is idle to deny that my position is a very unjust one, I believe is not
intentional on his part, but arises from the force of circumstances, and from
that weakness inherent in human nature which compels a man to look to his own
interests.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 198
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