Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, November 24, 1864.
I thank you most gratefully for your opinion that Time and
History will do me justice, but I very much fear your kind feeling has caused
the wish to be father to the thought. No man in this country will be
appreciated who does not dazzle his fellow-citizens with continued brilliant
success. Fortunately I knew so much of the fickleness and unreasonableness of
public opinion, that when I was elevated to my present position I was prepared
for the reaction and my fall; indeed, considering all things, I consider myself
very fortunate in having retained my position so long as I have. However, I
don't want to inflict a letter of complaints on you. I have done and shall
continue to do my duty to the best of my ability, and try to be contented under
whatever it may please God to have happen to me. Adopting the philosophy of the
Irishman who, when going into battle, said he would consider himself “kilt”; if
he was, it would be no more than he expected; if he got through safe, it would
be clear gain. So, expecting nothing, all acts of justice and kindness that
fall to my lot I shall consider so much gain.
I am sorry to hear what you say of Grant, but it is in
accordance with my theory and experience. Public expectation in his case, as in
Sherman's, having been wrought up to a false and unreasonable pitch, expecting
impossibilities and miracles, visits on them the failure to do what only public
imagination renders practicable. Both these men at one time were down. Sherman
was pronounced crazy, and Grant was at one time deprived of command; and now,
should success by any accident attend the efforts of either, their stars will
be more in the ascendant than ever.
Grant is not a mighty genius, but he is a good soldier, of
great force of character, honest and upright, of pure purposes, I think,
without political aspirations, certainly not influenced by them. His prominent
quality is unflinching tenacity of purpose, which blinds him to opposition and
obstacles — certainly a great quality in a commander, when controlled by
judgment, but a dangerous one otherwise. Grant is not without his faults and
weaknesses. Among these is a want of sensibility, an almost too confident and
sanguine disposition, and particularly a simple and guileless disposition,
which is apt to put him, unknown to himself, under the influence of those who
should not influence him, and desire to do so only for their own purposes. Take
him all in all, he is, in my judgment, the best man the war has yet produced.
When I say this, I refer more particularly to those I have come in contact
with, and do not include Sherman, about whom I know nothing but what I see in
the papers. I like Grant, and our relations have been very friendly. He has
always in words expressed himself most kindly towards me, and I believe does
feel so; but his acts, from causes alluded to above, have not been so; but I
acquit him of any actual intention of injustice. His coming here has resulted
virtually in setting me aside, almost as effectually as if I had been relieved.
To be sure, I saw this plainly before he came. He did not see it then, and he
don't see it now; there is the difference between us. I over-sensitive, and he
deficient in sensibility. There are many things in Grant that call for my
warmest admiration, and but few that I feel called on to condemn. He has been
greatly over-rated; but I should be really sorry to see him, through a
reaction, under-estimated. Let all this be confidential between us. Grant will
make use of me or any one else to carry out his views, but he will always do
justice to others, though he may often be slow in doing so, and let slip
opportunities presenting themselves, because he does not see they are opportunities.
Early in the campaign he recommended me strongly for appointment as major
general in the regular army, recommending Sherman at the same time. Yet he has
not only had Sherman made, but has now permitted them to make Sheridan, who was
not dreamed of at the time I was recommended. Still he did not appreciate that
this was injustice to me; but when I called his attention to it, and explained
how I thought it was unjust, he readily and frankly acknowledged I was right.
I am very glad to hear you propose to visit camp this
winter. Unless we are much stronger than we are now, I see no prospect of
taking Richmond. It is a pure question of numbers, requiring on our part great
superiority, and even then it is not going to be a very easy task. If the good
people will only turn out and fight with the unanimity they have voted to do
so, we will soon bring the war to a close. There is no doubt the last
dependence of the South is a divided North. The election has not dissipated
this hope; but swelling our armies, promptly and cheerfully, with the bone and
sinew of the country (not miserable foreigners and substitutes), who come to
fight, and not for money, this, when it happens, will, in conjunction with hard
fighting, open the eyes of the South and bring it to terms, if anything will.
_______________
* Brother-in-law of Mrs. Meade.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 245-7
