Letter from Major General George Meade to his wife
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, 9 P. M., June 5,18 Since our last battle
on the 3d inst. [Cold Harbor] we have been comparatively quiet. The enemy
has tried his hand once or twice at the offensive, and in each case has
been repulsed and severely punished. This evening
after dark, he made a furious attack, but was everywhere repulsed.
The sound of the artillery and musketry has just died away. Indeed we are
pretty much engaged all the time, from early in the morning late at night.
I don't believe the military history of the world can offer a parallel
to the protracted and severe fighting which this army has sustained for
the last thirty days. You would suppose, with all this severe fighting,
our severe losses, constant marches, many in the
night, that the physical powers of the men would be exhausted. I have
no doubt in time it will tell on them, but as yet they show no evidence
of it.
I feel a satisfaction in knowing that my record is clear, and that the
results of this campaign are the clearest indications I could wish of sound
judgment, both at Williamsport and Mine Run. In every
instance that we have attacked the enemy in an entrenched position
have failed, except in the case of Hancock's attack at Spottsylvania [sic],
which was a surprise discreditable to the enemy. So, likewise whenever
the enemy has attacked us in position, he has been repulsed I think Grant
has had his eyes opened, and is willing to admit now Virginia and Lee's
army is not Tennessee and Bragg's army. Whether the people will ever realize
this fact remains to be seen.
[Source: The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade (New York:
Charles Scribner's Sons, 1913); also in electronic form at
http://adams.patriot.net/~jcampi/coldharbor.htm]