Vienna,
July 24, 1863.
Dearest Mary: I wrote
yesterday and said that I would write again to-day, thinking you would like to
listen to the words of wisdom after I had had time to digest a little of the
magnificent news we have just received. But, after all, I haven't much to say.
For the details are entirely wanting. The papers only reach to 8th from Boston
and 7th from New York; the later is of course by telegraph. We must wait a week
to know exactly what has happened, and how large the success is. But isn't it
one of the most striking and picturesque things imaginable that Lee's great
invading army, after being thoroughly thrashed on the 2d and 3d July, should
have moved off in rapid retreat on the 4th July, and that, on the same famous
anniversary, Vicksburg, the great fortress and stronghold of the
Mississippi, should have surrendered to the United States troops?
Suppose that Lee at
the present moment has got 70,000 men at Hagerstown, where we know that he has
fortified himself, — and that is the very utmost that one can even imagine him
to have, — why, Meade by this time must have at least 150,000, after deducting
all his losses in the battles. And the militia are streaming in by thousands a
day. Government can send him (and I believe has sent him) every soldier they
can dispose of from Washington, Baltimore, Fort Monroe, and the Peninsula. Our
resources of food and ammunition are boundless, and I don't see how Meade can
help cutting off the enemy's supplies. I pore over the map, and I don't see how
Lee can help being in a trap. I will say no more, especially as about the time
when you read this you will be getting the telegram to the 15th, which may
prove that I have made an ass of myself. I send Sumner's letter, written
apparently before hearing of any of these great victories. I also send Holmes's
oration, which I haven't yet had time to read. No doubt it is magnificent, and
I prefer to read it at leisure. I have another copy in the daily. He sent me
this one. I also send a paper or two, which please preserve, as I file them. I
went to the D'Ayllons' yesterday and brought home Susie. Love to Mrs. Cleveland
and Lillie and my chickens.
Ever lovingly yours,
J. L. M.
SOURCE: George William Curtis, editor, The
Correspondence of John Lothrop Motley in Two Volumes, Library Edition,
Volume 2, p. 339-41
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