Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, December 23, 1864.
I have received a letter from the Earl of Fife, in Scotland,
asking my good offices for a young kinsman of his, who, he understands, has got
a commission in my army. I think I told you some time ago I had a letter from a
Mr. Duff, just arrived in New York, asking to be taken on my staff, and sending
a letter of introduction from Captain Schenley. I replied he would first have
to get a commission, and indicated to him how to go about it. Since then I have
not heard from him, but presume, from the Earl of Fife's note, that he has
succeeded in getting the commission, but perhaps has changed his mind as to the
staff appointment.
Colonel James Biddle has gone on leave. Young Emory has also
gone, to get married, and talks of trying to get a commission of colonel in
Hancock's new corps. Mason has got a leave, and Lyman I let go also, so that
headquarters are a good deal changed.
I think the Confederacy is beginning to shake, and if we
only can get the three hundred thousand men the President has called for, and
they prove good fighting men, I believe next summer we will conquer a peace, if
not sooner. God grant it may be so!1
_______________
1 General Meade left camp on December 30, for Philadelphia,
where he arrived on December 31. He left Philadelphia on January 9.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 254-5
