Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, January 21, 1865.
I have received yours of the 18th, with enclosures. The
intelligence conveyed in Mr. –––'s letter is not news to me, except that I have
not been able to believe I was in danger of rejection. I, of course, expected
opposition, and that it would be violent and malignant, being based on
falsehood and personal hostility; but I did not suppose it would be formidable
in numbers, and I have been relying on the truth, my record, and the fact that I
was sustained by the Administration and Grant. I have, I know, some friends in
the Senate, but they are few in number, being only such as I have accidentally
met in the few visits I have paid to Washington. The Military Committee
reported favorably on my nomination, but it is a rule of the Senate, when
acting on nominations, to lay aside any name as soon as objection is made, so
as to avoid discussion until they get through the list of those names to whom
there is no objection offered. One man can thus postpone action in any case,
and I take it this is all that has yet been done with me. Undoubtedly, when my
name came up, either Mr. Wilkinson, of Minnesota, or Anthony, of Rhode Island,
has objected, and under the rule I was laid aside. I expect to meet the opposition
of the Tribune and Independent clique, then all such as can be
influenced by –––, –––, –––, and others, each one of whom, of course, has some
friends. Whether they can concentrate
enough votes to defeat me, remains to be seen. Grant is now in Washington. He
promised to see Wilson, the Chairman of the Military Committee (who is
friendly), and write a letter, to be read in the Senate, urging my
confirmation.1 One difficulty I have to contend with is that those who
are disposed to hit the President, Secretary or Grant, think they are doing so
in hitting me. The nomination is, after all, only a compliment, and of no real
practical value, as it will not deprive me of my superior rank in the volunteer
service or my present command, the largest in the field. It is, nevertheless,
mortifying to have a compliment thus detracted from.
_______________
* Brother-in-law of Mrs. Meade.
1 For letters mentioned see Appendix R.
SOURCE: George Meade, The Life and Letters of George
Gordon Meade, Vol. 2, p. 256-7
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