Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, September 22, 1864.
To-day we have Mr. Stanton's despatch announcing Sheridan's
brilliant victory. I am very glad for the cause and glad for Sheridan's sake;
but I must confess to enough human weakness to regret this opportunity of
distinction was denied me, who was, I think, from previous service and present
position, entitled to it. It is all settled, however, now, as I see Mr. Stanton
announces Sheridan has been permanently assigned to the Middle Military
Division, and that he has been made a brigadier general in the regular army.
This last piece of disingenuous news will be amusing to those who know he was
appointed to this place six weeks ago, in advance of his present well-merited
laurels. My time I suppose has passed, and I must now content myself with doing
my duty unnoticed.
George1 and I both continue very well. I did not
intend to alarm you about the health of the army. I only meant to say we were
beginning to experience in a slight degree the effects of a residence in this
not very healthy location. Still, taking all things into consideration, the
health of the army is wonderful. The enemy predicted we would never be able to
pass the summer here, and counted largely on the fevers of the country driving
us away.
_______________
1 Son of General Meade.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 229-30
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