George G. Meade                                                                                                       Autograph Letter Signed Superb content 3 page Autograph Letter Signed dated 7/23/1869 written from Philadelphia to a Mrs. Neil.  Mrs. Neil asks Meade if he could talk to President Grant concerning her brother's counselship.  This reopened the wound from a few months before when Grant promoted Phil Sheridan to the Lieutenant Generalship over Meade. In full: Dear Mrs. Neil I have received your letter of the 20th inst. I regret very much that in the matter of your brother's retention of his counselship that with all my desire to serve you - it will not be in my power so to do.  I have no influence with the present administration nor am I in a position to justify my asking anything of the President - he having thought proper (for reasons doubtless good to him, but in which I cannot agree with him) to do me the greatest act of injustice + face saving  in placing over my head "Maj. Gen'l."  Sheridan promoting him to the Lieutenant Generalship when my rank and my services, civil + military justified me in claiming + expecting the position.  Pardon my alluding to so unpleasant a subject, but I can in no other way explain my inability to serve you - to satisfy you that I am not imagining difficulties I will tell you that the only two or three requests I have made have been met with flat refusals. I should think your relative Govr. Dennison would be your most suitable friend __________ having influence with Mr. Fish Sec't of State could arrange it for you - There has been to my knowledge such a demand for officers + so much pressure inducing the Sec't to make all the renewals possible, to  have vacancies to fill - that if your brother has been hitherto let alone - I should hope he would not be disturbed - still it is as well as the sailors say to have an anchor to windward or to use the more common expression of "a stitch in time" - and I would therefore, if you have influential friends with the Sec't. get them to say a few words in your brother's favor.  With real regret that I am unable to assist + with the request you will say nothing of what I have written - I remain most truly - Gen. G. Meade"   Meade had actually calmed down a bit from the initial event when we look at a letter he wrote to his wife at the time (not included): To Mrs. George G. Meade: Atlanta, March 6, 1869.  Dear Margaret: The blow has been struck and out worst fears realized.  Yesterday, I received late in the afternoon a telegram directing me to turn over the command of this department to the next in rank, and proceed to Philadelphia to take command of the Military Division of the Atlantic.   This dispatch was from the Adjutant General, but signed by order of the General commanding the army.  I at once saw that Sherman had been made General, and inferred Sheridan was Lieutenant General, and that Sherman, in the goodness of his heart, sympathizing with me in my affliction, had sent me at the earliest moment to  Philadelphia.  About nine o'clock came the dispatch that Sheridan's name had gone in and been confirmed. My own sweet love, you can imagine the force of this blow, but it is useless to repine over what cannot be remedied, and we must find consolation in the consciousness we have that it is the crudest and meanest act of injustice, and the hope, if there is any sense of wrong of justice in the country, that the man who perpetrated it will some day be made to feel so.  Dearest, I hope you will take this blow with resignation, and be satisfied that I am coming to you, and in each other's society try to find that calm, dignified, protest which such low conduct alone merits. I shall be detained here about a week, but will leave no time in getting home.  I cannot write all I feel indeed it is as well I should not.  God has thought proper to give us a grievous burden to bear, and it is our part to endeavor to be submissive.  Love to all; I shall soon see you. Ever yours, George G. Meade. Unframed.     Autograph: George G. Meade Document Type: Autograph Letter Signed Unframed Dimensions:   8" x  10" Price: $ 995.00 Shipping/Handling: $ 6.00 Please note: When you add an item to your cart, the price includes DOMESTIC shipping and handling fees. Email us for INTERNATIONAL rates prior to buying. You can pay by PayPal or your own credit card. For more information, please review our terms and policies on our FAQ's page. Home - Historical Figures - Civil War - George G. Meade