Headquarters Army of The Potomac, May 3, 1864.
I send herewith original letter recently received from
General Lee, which you can give to Pennie,1 as it has General Lee's
autograph, and on the envelope an original endorsement by Jeb Stuart, the great
reb. cavalry general.
I also enclose you a printed copy of an
address issued to-day by me to the army. To-morrow we move. I hope and
trust we will be successful, and so decidedly successful as to bring about a
termination of this war. If hard fighting will do it, I am sure I can rely on
my men. They are in fine condition and in most excellent spirits, and will do
all that men can do to accomplish the object. The enemy have had time, I
expect, to bring up all available reinforcements. This is all the better for
us, if we succeed, as it will make the battle and victory more decisive. The
telegraph will convey to you the first intelligence, though I shall endeavor to
keep you posted. I beg of you to be calm and resigned, to place full trust in
the mercy of our heavenly Father, who has up to this time so signally favored
us, and the continuance of whose blessing we should earnestly pray for. Do not
fret, but be cheerful, and go about and do just as if nothing was going on, and
above all things don't anticipate evil; it will come time enough. Give my love
to all the dear children. I shall think a great deal of you and them, notwithstanding
the excitement of my duties. I feel quiet and determined, satisfied I have ever
striven to do my duty to the best of my ability, and believing that in time
posterity will do justice to my career. Good-by! God bless and protect us all!
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1 Spencer Meade, son of General Meade.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 192