Meades reply.
General Meade was not a man to tamely submit to bullying, even from a superior, and one cannot help admiring the warm spirit with which he now resented Halleck's attitude, as well as the manner of it. This was his quick retort: [252]
Your telegram of 7 P. M. just received.
If you have any orders to give me, I am prepared to receive and obey them; but I must insist on being spared the infliction of such truisms in the guise of opinions as you have recently honored me with, particularly as they have not been asked for. I take this occasion to repeat what I have before stated — that if my course, based on my own judgment, does not meet with approval, I ought to be, and I desire to be, relieved from command.
George G. Meade, Major-General Commanding.
General Halleck was undoubtedly an able, clear-headed adviser to his government.
The one blot upon the character of this accomplished man was an inherent disposition to browbeat subordinates—an overbearing habit that had its first public illustration in his treatment of the modest, unassuming Grant early in 1862, and, subsequently Sherman, at the close of the war. But when, in turn, he met a bulldozer like General Meade, he seemed to lack the necessary moral courage to carry the game through with a high hand.
He weakened.
On the next day, on the excuse that his ‘truisms’ were merely telegraphed as the best mode of conveying to the general in the field the ‘wishes of the government,’ Halleck apologized to Meade in the most handsome manner, if his language had ‘unintentionally given offence.’
And in a spirit that showed him to be a true soldier and a gentleman, Meade replied: ‘Your explanation of your intentions is accepted, and I thank you for it.’
A word more.
General Meade doggedly persisted in his policy of circumspection, and was henceforward left to his own devices in the conduct of the campaign without suggestion or comment from Washington.
General Lee, his purpose accomplished, slowly retired to the Rappahannock, behind which he prepared to go into winter-quarters, General Meade cautiously following, watching closely for a favorable opportunity to deliver battle.
On November 7th he suddenly and unexpectedly attacked a Confederate redoubt at Rappahannock Station, with overwhelming numbers, making considerable captures, and successfully forcing a passage of the river.
[253]
This compelled a change of plan of General Lee's part, and he retired still further behind the Rapidan again.
This event demonstrated that General Meade no more lacked the nerve to take the offensive under favorable circumstances, when his judgment dictated it, than to resent the unjustifiable bullying of Halleck.
Leslie J. Perry. Washington, November 12, 1895.
