Meade's Dung Heap

gknight · #1 11-29-2005, 07:24 PM

I have seen many references to Lincoln, on learning that Meade would be the new commander of the AOP at the same time the Rebs were gathering near Gettysburg, said "Meade should do well on his own dung heap."

Most people suggest that it was made at a meeting of his Cabinet. Some recommend researching the notes of the Secretary of the Navy.

I need to find the exact quote and the source for it for an article that I am writing on MajGen. John F. Reynolds for the Journal of the Lancaster County (PA) Historical Society. Can anyone narrow the search for me?

I can go with the article without the quote but I really would like to keep it in--if I can prove that it is real and not the figment of the imagination of so many hyper-creative reenactors.

Thanks,
Glenn

samgrant · #2 11-29-2005, 09:56 PM

See your similar thread in "Recruits ..." where i mentioned "ask Thea".

ole · #3 11-30-2005, 01:32 AM

Glenn:
I've also read that Lincoln made some kind of comment to the affect that Meade would do well on his home ground, but I don't recollect that he referred to Pennsylvania as a dung heap.

You have a piece of something. Get it right or don't bring it up. Sorry I can't help you right now with the "get it right" part, but a comment is out there somewhere.
Ole

samgrant · #4 01-12-2006, 07:16 PM

gknight,

I just came across that quote in T. Harry William' Lincoln and His Generals.

"The choice of Meade was made by Lincoln and Stanton. Halleck was not consulted."
....
"Sometime during the conference, Stanton remarked that Meade was from Pennsylvania, where the crucial battle of the campaign would be fought. Lincoln is supposed to have said: "And will fight well on his own dunghill.""

Williams' footnote on this:

"George C. Gorham, Life and Public service of Edwin M. Stanton, II,
98-100; Heintzelman MS. Journal, June 28, 1862"

That's his footnote. Why it had 1862 instead of 1863 is another question.

samgrant · #5 01-18-2006, 06:51 PM

gknight,

Here's another reference for that quote from "Unfinished Work" by Gabor S. Borrit, in his book Lincoln's Generals:

"Life and Public Services of Edwin M. Stanton, 2 vols. (Boston: Houghton, 1899), 2:99."

gknight · #6 01-19-2006, 09:59 PM

Sam;

You are a gem. Thanks for your help. I think I have enough to finish my piece for the Lancaster County (PA) Historical Society Journal on Commander William Reynolds learning about the death of his younger brother Maj Gen John Reynolds, while the former was Senior Officer Afloat at Port Royal, SC and captain of the USS New Hampshire.

Glenn

samgrant · #7 01-19-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gknight

Sam;

You are a gem. Thanks for your help. I think I have enough to finish my piece for the Lancaster County (PA) Historical Society Journal on Commander William Reynolds learning about the death of his younger brother Maj Gen John Reynolds, while the former was Senior Officer Afloat at Port Royal, SC and captain of the USS New Hampshire.

Glenn

Cool, let me know when any share of the royalties are expected to come my way!

gknight · #8 01-20-2006, 10:31 AM

I have informed my publisher that he should send 10% of the royalties to you. That would come to one copy of the Journal. But in order to do so I will need your address prior to 2009 when it is scheduled for publication.

If you are interested I can send you a draft.

Thanks again.

Glenn

samgrant · #9 01-20-2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gknight

I have informed my publisher that he should send 10% of the royalties to you. That would come to one copy of the Journal. But in order to do so I will need your address prior to 2009 when it is scheduled for publication.

If you are interested I can send you a draft.

Thanks again.

Glenn

If still alive, I'll get back to you in 2008.