Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, April 18, 1864.
I had an interview with General Birney to-day, who
disclaimed ever having entertained unfriendly feelings towards me, or being a
partisan of Sickles, and expressed the hope he would be permitted to serve
under me. I listened to all he had to say, but made no reply, except that I had
never heard he had any unfriendly feelings towards me.
To-day Grant reviewed the Sixth Corps (Sedgwick's). It was a
fine day, and the men looked and marched finely. Grant expressed himself highly
pleased, and is quite astonished at our system and organization.
I see a letter I wrote to a Mr. Bond, Chairman of Committee
on Labor, Income and Revenue, has already gotten into the papers. I declare I
am almost afraid to put pen to paper, when writing to any one but you. I had
supposed that my present humble position would shield me from getting into
print, and that letters from Grant only would be of value. You would be amused
to see the worshipping of the rising sun by certain officers in this army; but
Grant behaves very handsomely, and immediately refers to me all the letters and
communications he gets from my subordinates, who apply to him when they have
axes to grind. I have received a letter from General Lee, enclosing
photographic copies of the papers found on Colonel Dahlgren, and asking whether
these papers were authorized, sanctioned or approved by the Government of the
United States, or Colonel Dahlgren's superior officers. This was a pretty ugly
piece of business; for in denying having authorized or approved “the burning of
Richmond, or killing Mr. Davis and Cabinet,” I necessarily threw odium on
Dahlgren. I, however, enclosed a letter from Kilpatrick, in which the
authenticity of the papers was impugned; but I regret to say Kilpatrick's
reputation, and collateral evidence in my possession, rather go against this
theory. However, I was determined my skirts should be clear, so I promptly
disavowed having ever authorized, sanctioned or approved of any act not
required by military necessity, and in accordance with the usages of war.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 190-1
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