….both the volumes of Meade's letters and Grant's papers are available online….
Darn that pesky first hand documentation!….keeps getting in the way of a good soap-operatic yarn!
Meade may have confessed his 'feelings' to his wife…but that is exactly what it is….his unsupported hunches and guesses….Please consider that; his WIFE….his personal life confidant, cheerleader, muse,…friend and supporter. Remember Meade's wife came from a very active and respected political family. She and the general discussed ALL manner of politics frankly and aggressively with each other…they ENJOYED the discussions with each other…it made them tick and got their intellectual juices going…..
Grant (and by extension, Lincoln)….were presented with a unique situation: Meade was considered the VICTOR, by the public, of Gettysburg……How do you justify & spin to the public the 'Hero's' removal from command?…That had not happened before in the war (what do we do?)
Grant was very wise in his calculus in keeping Meade around and in command of the AOP. He was absolutely right in his thinking that a 'Western theatre commander of an Eastern Army'…may not go over very well with the Eastern troops…Also, as previously mentioned by others: The AOP was NOT the only command Grant had to be in charge of….yes, he relocated to the Eastern front and went with the AOP on it's Southern march and move to the left…..But he, Grant, is in communication with Sherman, Butler, Thomas, etc…..following through on the larger plan conceived by Himself, Sherman, Lincoln and Adm. Porter…..
This might be a bad analogy….but I've always likened it to a fleet Admiral having his flag aboard an aircraft carrier…..He is NOT in command of that boat (the ship's captain is)…but he sure is in charge of the fleet and the larger, grander movements of the fleet / force that ship is a part of.