Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, June 6, 1864.
Do not be deceived about the situation of affairs by the
foolish despatches in the papers. Be not over-elated by reported successes, nor
over-depressed by exaggerated rumors of failures. Up to this time our success
has consisted only in compelling the enemy to draw in towards Richmond; our
failure has been that we have not been able to overcome, destroy or bag his
army.
His success has been in preventing us from doing the above,
and in heading us off every time we have tried to get around him. In the
meantime, both sides have suffered great losses, probably proportionate to our
original relative strength, and it is highly probable that both sides have
repaired their losses by reinforcements, so that we stand now in the same
relative proportion, three to two, with original numbers. The great struggle
has yet to come off in the vicinity of Richmond. The enemy have the advantages
of position, fortifications, and being concentrated at their centre. We shall
have to move slowly and cautiously, but I am in hopes, with reasonable luck, we
will be able to succeed.
I am sorry, very sorry, to hear what you write of Sergeant,1
but God's will must be done, and we must be resigned.
I am trying to collect some trophies from our recent
battle-fields to send you for your fair.
_______________
1 Son of General Meade.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 201-2
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