Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, September 10, 1864.
I reached here
about 4 p. M. to-day, very sad and dispirited, as I reflect on Sergeant's1
ill health and your embarrassing position. I wrote you a few hurried lines from
Washington by Willie Gerhard.
I spent about half
an hour with the President and some four hours with the Secretary. Both were
very affable, apparently very glad to see me, and said many flattering things.
The Secretary, particularly, kept me in his private room, to the exclusion of
all other visitors, and was very sociable. I think I wrote you that when I told
him of dear Sargie's ill health, he at once said if I wanted to send him to
Cuba or New Orleans, he would place at my disposition a Government steamer to
take him out there, which I considered very handsome.
We left Washington
at 6 P. M. in a special steamer, which, although quite comfortable, was a very
slow one, and we did not reach City Point till 12 M. to-day, though the
ordinary run would have brought us there at 6 P. M. yesterday. I saw Grant for
a little while before coming here, and he told me he was near telegraphing me
to come back on Monday, as on that day there were indications the enemy was
going to attack; but they passed away, and he let me alone.
I have thought a
great deal about you, and the more I think, the more I am puzzled. I really do
not see anything that can be done except your accompanying Sergeant, and I
think the best place to go is the Island of Madeira. This would not diminish
our expenses any; still I don't see what other arrangement can be made. If you
could only hear of some kind friend who was going to Europe, who would take
care of Sergeant, and thus render your going unnecessary, it would be a great
relief, as your leaving the younger children is a very great disadvantage.
Still, we must accommodate ourselves to things as they are, and not as we would
have them, and yield everything in the hope that dear Sargie will be benefitted
by the change of scene and air, and under the blessing of God his health
restored. I dream about you all the time, and cannot dismiss you from my
thoughts day or night.
_______________
1 Son of General Meade.
SOURCE: George
Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 226-7
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