Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, December 20, 1864.
I have had a hard day to-day. This morning Messrs. Chandler
and Harding, of the Senate, and Loan and Julian, of the House, all members of
the Committee on the Conduct of the War, made their appearance to investigate
the Mine affair. They gave me a list of witnesses to be called, from which I at
once saw that their object was to censure me, inasmuch as all these officers
were Burnside's friends. They called me before them; when I told them it was
out of my power, owing to the absence of my papers and official documents, to
make a proper statement; that this whole matter had been thoroughly
investigated by a court ordered by the President; the proceedings of which
court and the testimony taken by it, were on file in the War Department, and I
would suggest their calling for them as the best mode of obtaining all the
facts of the case. I then read them my official report, and after numerous
questions by Mr. Loan, who evidently wished to find flaws, I was permitted to
leave. Mr. Chandler promised me to apply for the testimony taken by the court,
and to let me know the answer given. In case the Department refuse, I shall
then submit to the committee a copy of my testimony, as my statement of the
case. I asked the committee to call before them General Hunt and Colonel Duane,
two of my staff; but these officers came out laughing, and said as soon as they
began to say anything that was unfavorable to Burnside, they stopped them and
said that was enough, clearly showing they only wanted to hear evidence of one
kind. I don't intend to worry myself, but shall just let them take their course
and do as they please; but I must try and find some friend in the Senate who
will call for the proceedings of the court, and have them published. Mr. Cowan,
from Pennsylvania, is the proper person, but I do not know him, and, moreover,
do not want to run against Mr. Stanton, so perhaps will wait till I see the
Secretary and can talk with him before I take any action. I presume their
object is to get some capital to operate with, to oppose the confirmation of my
nomination in the Senate.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 253-4
No comments:
Post a Comment