GDG- Generals Letters

[keith mackenzie]

On my recent, well publicized visit to Boarders, I considered and passed over a book of Lee's letters, compiled by his son. It only had one short note concerning G'burg, sent to a woman who was trying to compile the thoughts of the leading generals for a book after the war. He basically, but oh so politely, says check the record, because I've allready said all I'm going to say. Anyone have that book? is it worth 6 bucks, cause i'm sure it's still there.
  K. 

Tom Ryan <pennmardel at mchsi.com> wrote: 
  Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


R.L.

Thanks for the letter about Meade. It reflects a general impression of
ambiguity about the general that you get from reading his operational orders
and his letters to loved ones about events during the war. While Meade was
respected, he did not project or receive warm feelings, nor was he looked
upon as a great hero.

The best way to understand what was going on in Meade's mind during the war
is to read his letters to his wife. In those he revealed some of his true
feelings about the events that were taking place.

Tom Ryan

-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com
[mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]On Behalf Of R Murray
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2006 11:02 PM
To: GDG
Subject: GDG- Soldier's Description of General Meade


Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


This week I have been working on compiling letters from soldiers from
the southern Finger Lakes region of New York State, and today I found this
description of General Meade. I thought it was interesting and worth sharing
with the group. From an officer in the 44th New York, dated July 22, 1863.


"The assignment of General George G. Meade, to the command of this
army, was an event wholly unexpected by all, even by the veteran himself.
The failure of the campaign of Burnside, who under like circumstances
superseded McClellan, made many a man fear for the triumph of the Union arms
at this time, certainly the most critical in the history of this war. But
the tremendous responsibility resting upon him with the hopes, the fortunes,
and the lives of one hundred thousand men in his hands, the success,
perchance the restoration of a government, which if thus defeated in its
purpose, might end disastrously to the country, all depending upon his
energy and ability, elicited the warmest sympathy of his old command, which
regretting his loss, rejoiced at his promotion.
"In general you obtained a good idea of the new commander from his
picture in Harper’s Weekly, July 11. In person, he is very tall, his head a
little bent from age, his hair and beard a little tinged with gray, with
features pale and sharp, so sharp, that with his spectacles on he looks
fearfully grim under a slouched hat.
"Dress him in a citizen’s suit, put a white cravat on him and he
would make a fine looking Doctor of Divinity, but he will swear like a Sea
Captain if you offend him. He seldom speaks, often passes his beat before
his tent, erect and with folded arms; thus you will see him in the morning
long ere his staff has risen.
"In his presence you would be awed into silence and uneasiness by his
dignity and self command, yet he is to be appreciated if you have business
with him. I have had occasioned to go into his tent and was as courteously
treated as I could wish to be. He is a very stern strict man, even his own
son who is on his staff dare not be familiar with him
. He is very prompt,
knows just what to do, and does it with all his might. He is not
unfortunately like a brave good General who believed that his usefulness is
a commander had been impaired [?]; he is a temperate man."

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