The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-31

that he had asked for the Immediate appointment OF
the others. but not for his for that II Meade
aud sherman had been appointed the same day the
former would have ranked the latter, and he desired
Sherman 10 rank Meade He further stated that
neither ms opinion that Of the President or
Secretary Of War had changed with regard TO him;
that he still had their entire confidence and assured
him that IL Was settled thing that no have Tho
vacant major generalcy.
Early in November, 1854 General sheridans APP
pointnent Ia the regular army was announced, to MI
The vacancy caused by the resignation oil General
McCielian, General Meade, upon nearing OF tns, at
once sought General Grant, and very decided
expressed his opinion OF the injustice himself by
this apoointmSnt. He said the action OF The gov
to the army he commanded Moreover, that any
censure OF him at this time u virtual censure Of
General Grant, Tor he had simply obeyed his orders In
everything thai he had dono in this caIupaign. He
demanded that either ne should be sustained else
relieved IRON command OF the army. General Grant
admitted the justice of these remonsirances and dis
claimed any agency in General Sbertdan's appoint
ment acknowledged that 1sneral Meaao was entitled
10 II before ana ought now 10 be appointed his senior
aud promised to use all his Influence have Justice
DONE He expressed regret at not having insisted on
General Mcade's appointment when General Sherman
was appointed anu assured General Meade on his
word OF honor that he had never entertained nor ex
pressed any Dnt the strongest feelings in HIS behalf
whether IN speech or writing. General Grant went
To washington and brought The matter tothe attention
OF the President. hc informed General Meade
mat rs soon as he spoke TO the PRESIDENT the latter
acknowledged the Jusce OF his statements and SAID
that he had hesitated when appointing General
General Meade. He at once at the suggests ion of
General Grant, ordered the Secretary OF War make
out General Meade'5 appointment major general 10
the regular army, 10 date from August 3D. 1864 tho
day OF The capture OF the Weldon Railroad. General
Sheridnn's appointment to the same rank had been
dated November 3, 1864 IL evident that General
Sheridan's appointment was made the spur OF the
moment, IN order that General Mcclellan
should appear IN greater contrast 10 Sheridan return
ing covered with laurcs IRON his success IN the
Valley. General Grant virtually admitted this and
also that II General Meade's had ot OWING to
these crcums tQnCeS. be0u overlooked
ho would certainly have been appointed few days in
advance,
Congress being 10 session during this time mono
OF these appoin nents were confirmed until January
1865. Upon General Meade's appointment, although
reported favoraby ny the senate Military Committee
at the same time win Generas urant, Sherman Sncr-
idan aud others, action not taKcu uutn February
2, 1865. on account vi the objection OF member Of
the committee on the Conduct of the War, on which
day his appointment was confirmed, With tho date OF
delay in the confirmation OF General Meadss appoint
ment wrote the following letters to Mr. washourne
and Mr. Wilson,
hNAoauAHrrHs c AEH rs, OF InE qsr59 go sIArxs
Hon. Is. B. wAsHBuRNE:
DEAR SIR have several letters from which must
answer as soon as can get day to write which hope
w he Tn Gay or . sS Sw % Ts
Msade's continuation as Major General In the regular
therefore address ayse to them ! ann very sorry this
has r than ae
confronting the strongest best appointed and most eon
opportunity OF winning aures distinctly marked
a may" 70 . S of S %s s sy
done with the same chances am salts nst with afn
ing ali lis military as,. ali osjecsions wound
III which I 81 toby
put in word with some OF the senators particularly
will feel much obliged. Yours truly. U. s. GRANT.
HEADQUARTERS Annrs OF THE UNIrnp STATES,
Hon. II. WILSON, Chairman Coiunittee Military Affairs
see that Thomas ana sheridan have
no mention Is made OF General Meades eonhrmstioi
raised rs rexrs General Mssas was apnsn.S ~
S,s .s se and
which we have any account IN history: have been with
made the recomnendation upon CONVECTION that this
.sc1gn,sn .! his was fully won Da. tina.
title him TO. know General Meade well. What tho OBJ
~Sa Directly dy not c
lions mopng tina. your honorable body win consider This
d. 8. GRANT, Lieutenant General.
On the same day Senator Wilson wrote the follow.
ing letter TO General Meade:-
WASHINGTON, Jan. % 1865.
Major General GEORGE q. MKApE:-
hrmason or rather the failure Of the ssnsss 70 act
man aud others W my eomnstos but acson Was not
IL on ns sns I o a q
case up ~ day or two and have no doubt Of hs rssns
II Is evident, then, that thcre was NO warning OF
rank on the part OF General sheridan Blu. rather that
an ACT OIL admitted injustice to General Meade had
been rcctihed and thai principally through the Efforts
of General Grant.
have felt IL my duty tdpnake the above statement
to put at rest an erroneous IMPRESSION which
reported ntcrvew has received the sanction of
General Grant, and have done this without any In.
tsntior OF detractIug from the MORT Of General
Sherdan's services to his country But It
sary to attempt 70 enhance tho value Of these
vices by dstractins from tho merits Of another IL
has been clearly shown tben in the FIRST place. that
whereas General Grant as between Meade and Sher-
man, wrote 10 the Secretary OF Wur:-'I would not
ike TO OF these promotions at this time with.
out seeing both 80 and later had perfect right
10 feel ana act, told General Meade that he wished
General sherman to RANK him, he did thereby imply
thai there couli be question OF any other inter-
posing between him and General Sherman. SO much
ior implication. Directly as the preceding statement
gees TO show, he held that General Mcade's claim
OF priority over General Sheridan. In tho selec-
Of the who should hold the Lieutenant Geu-
cracy there was allowed to cnter question OF
record, no question OF service, no question OF
a previous waving of rank. II sim
ply OF personal invortism, and II had better
be placed that ground, where 1t properly belongs
II act OF injustice and saddcnet The last
days OF worthy officer, who deserved IaIrer treat
mcnt from his government ard from who well
and had often testified to the portant ser
vices he had rendered his country.
GEORGE MEADE
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, July II, 1878.