Meade, George Gordon (1815-1872) to Thomas McParlin
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02649.29 Author/Creator: Meade, George Gordon (1815-1872) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 April 1866 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope ; 20.2 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy
Major General Meade informs McParlin that he has complied with his request for a recommendation (see GLC02649.30): "I think if any medical officers are entitled to the Brevet of Brig Genl it [is] these who like yourself stuck it out in the field and although whilst in the field I thought two brevets a fair proportion for my staff officers - I did not dream that these out of the field were going to get more and I consider it my duty to modify my recommendations as I have in your own case...I often think of our last campaign and how skillfully you treated me. I shall never forget the obligation you there placed me under, for I did not know at that time even how vital to me it was that I should keep on duty & not be reported sick." Written on "Head Quarters, Military Division of the Atlantic" stationery. Comes with original envelope addressed in Meade's hand.
In April of 1865, Grant had ordered Meade and General E.O.C. Ord to corral Lee's retreating forces. During the last days of the campaign, however, Meade became seriously ill. He was treated by McParlin, his staff physician, and was able to continue in command, though forced to accompany his troops in an army ambulance. Meade did not attend the surrender ceremony at Appomattox, but did recover enough to announce the news to his troops at the front. Though he received little credit for the role he played in the Appomattox campaign, Meade's letter to McParlin makes clear that he considered his presence at that time to have been "vital."
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