NY Times 7-10-1863: Lee’s escape considered impossible
Union General Meade wrote his wife 150 years ago today.
From The life and letters of George Gordon Mead:…Volume 2 (page 133):
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
SOUTH MOUNTAIN PASS, July 10, 1863.
Lee has not crossed and does not intend to cross the river, and I expect in a few days, if not sooner, again to hazard the fortune of war. I know so well that this a fortune and that accidents, etc., turn the tide of victory, that, until the question is settled, I cannot but be very anxious. If it should please God again to give success efforts, then I should be more tranquil. I also see that my success at Gettysburg has deluded the people and the Government with the idea that I must always be victorious, that Lee is demoralized and disorganized, etc., and other delusions which will not only be dissipated by any reverse I should meet with, but would react in proportion against me. I have already had a very decided correspondence with General Halleck upon this point, he pushing me on, and I informing him I was advancing as fast as I could. The firm stand I took had the result to induce General Halleck to tell me to act according to my judgment. I am of the opinion that Lee is in a strong position and determined to fight before he crosses the river. I believe that if he had been able to cross when he first fell back, that he would have done so; but his bridges being destroyed, he has been compelled to make a stand, and will of course make a desperate one. The army is in fine spirits, and if I can only manage to keep them together, and not be required to attack a position too strong, I think there is a chance for me. However, it is all in God’s hands. I make but little account of myself, and think only of the country. …
General Meade seems to have understood that head-on assaults against well-fortified positions is probably a bad idea.
The letter goes on to mention that the Meade’s son had a close call on July 3rd when a piece of shell killed the young George’s horse and tore off part of the back of the saddle.
Union heavy artillery chasing Bobby Lee in a rainstorm
A cutting that tallied a bit of the human cost of Gettysburg, from a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1863:
DAVID W. TRIPP, of this village, was killed in the late battle of Gettysburg. He enlisted in Pennsylvania, while at work in the oil regions. Arrangements have been made to bring his remains home for burial.
The Pennsylvania oil rush began in 1859 when oil was discovered in Titusville.
early oil field in Pennsylvania, c.1862
