Lincoln Never signed, Never sent

[War Horse]

July 14, 1863 OTD, President Lincoln writes a letter to General Meade regarding the escape of the ANV after the Battle of Gettysburg.

"I have just seen your despatch to Gen. Halleck, asking to be relieved of your command, because of a supposed censure of mine. . . . But I was in such deep distress myself that I could not restrain some expression of it. . . . I do not believe you appreciate the magnitude of the misfortune involved in Lee's escape. He was within your easy grasp, and to have closed upon him would, in connection with our other late successes, have ended the war. . . . Your golden opportunity is gone, and I am distressed immeasurably because of it." [The letter was never signed or sent.] Abraham Lincoln to George G. Meade, 14 July 1863, CW, 6:327-29.

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I absolutely love this subject. Lincoln was so distressed over Lee's escape. He had to have some sort of outlet to get his feeling off his chest. He was wise in not sending this letter to Meade. The fact is Meade could not possibly have done any thing different. His forces were in no condition to pursue Lee nor were the roads in any condition for an army to travel in pursuit of another army. Lincoln's feeling were Ill- guided, he wasn't there and the information he was getting (Particularly from Sickles) was bad intel. It was unfair to Meade.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

I absolutely love this subject. Lincoln was so distressed over Lee's escape. He had to have some sort of outlet to get his feeling off his chest. He was wise in not sending this letter to Meade. The fact is Meade could not possibly have done any thing different. His forces were in no condition to pursue Lee nor were the roads in any condition for an army to travel in pursuit of another army. Lincoln's feeling were Ill- guided, he wasn't there and the information he was getting (Particularly from Sickles) was bad intel. It was unfair to Meade.

I agree 100%, and had the letter been sent, Meade would have resigned his commission after an insult like that. The fact remains that Meade is the only one who outright defeated Lee on the field of battle until the end of the war. Lincoln obviously knew that, and also obviously knew that he needed someone capable at the head of that army.

 

[Mark Harden]

I wonder what other such 'unsent' notes might have been written but have not survived.

It was a habit of Lincoln's to get things off his chest but never send the letters. A number of them were found in his desk after the assassination.

 

[Mark Harden]

Lincoln exposed his military ignorance here and at many other points in the war, especially in how he expected miraculous actions by his armies and never seemed to understand the logistics that made them impossible. Similarly with McClellan after Sharpsburg, and even when he and Stanton were playing commander-in-chief trying to trap Stonewall Jackson in the valley: Lincoln looked at his map and demanded Fremont move on a certain road to get to the Valley Pike. He was upset that Fremont was unable to comply, ignorant of the complete uselessness of that road for an army to travel. Rank amateur, people criticize Jefferson Davis for micro-managing military actions, but at least he had some experience and did less damage than Lincoln's mismanagement.

 

[frontrank2]

Agree. Thought the retention of this proposed correspondence was the most interesting aspect of events surrounding this letter.

In modern times, some consider it beneficial as a cathartic experience (in appropriate circumstances) for individuals affected by intense inner turmoil to externally express their feelings in written form, then destroy what they penned shortly afterwards – as a form of release.

Here, on the basis of the bare letter contents, Lincoln at the time was clearly experiencing deep emotional disturbance (he repeatedly makes reference to the intensity of his 'distress' twice in the letter exhibited).

But upon later reflection, Lincoln allowed the calmer reasoned thoughts (perhaps aided by advice) of his nature to prevail over the deep upset that he felt at the time of penning it – that's why the letter was unsigned and unsent afterwards.

Wonder then, what motivated Lincoln to retain this letter as a reminder or record of his own resolved personal dilemma? Or, as was read somewhere, did he simply put the letter away and forgot about it, never to look at it again?

Could it be that Lincoln was simply venting, being as the note was neither signed or sent?

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Could it be that Lincoln was simply venting, being as the note was neither signed or sent?

Yes! Thought that raises another interesting question. Did Lincoln have no intention of signing/sending the letter when he put pen to paper? Don't know whether he ever applied this technique of venting.

 

[KianGaf]

I was watching the final episode of Lincoln by the History channel yesterday and the letter featured. Overall the show did a good job in regards to Gettysburg and its aftermath.

 

[tharpa]

July 14, 1863 OTD, President Lincoln writes a letter to General Meade regarding the escape of the ANV after the Battle of Gettysburg.

"I have just seen your despatch to Gen. Halleck, asking to be relieved of your command, because of a supposed censure of mine. . . . But I was in such deep distress myself that I could not restrain some expression of it. . . . I do not believe you appreciate the magnitude of the misfortune involved in Lee's escape. He was within your easy grasp, and to have closed upon him would, in connection with our other late successes, have ended the war. . . . Your golden opportunity is gone, and I am distressed immeasurably because of it." [The letter was never signed or sent.] Abraham Lincoln to George G. Meade, 14 July 1863, CW, 6:327-29.

Dale Carnegie mentions this letter in one of his books as an example of prudence and avoiding harsh speech.

 

[Ed Zeppelin]

Probably a better Angel whispered in his ear and he saw his error, which is why it remained unsigned and unsent.

Think of how many communications we've made in the modern era that we regret, or wished we'd pondered before hitting 'send'.

I wonder what the reaction would have been if Lincoln had hit the "send" button.


Sent from my Commodore 64 running Windows 95

 

[Western Reserve Volunteer]

Agree. Thought the retention of this proposed correspondence was the most interesting aspect of events surrounding this letter.

In modern times, some consider it beneficial as a cathartic experience (in appropriate circumstances) for individuals affected by intense inner turmoil to externally express their feelings in written form, then destroy what they penned shortly afterwards – as a form of release.

Here, on the basis of the bare letter contents, Lincoln at the time was clearly experiencing deep emotional disturbance (he repeatedly makes reference to the intensity of his 'distress' twice in the letter exhibited).

But upon later reflection, Lincoln allowed the calmer reasoned thoughts (perhaps aided by advice) of his nature to prevail over the deep upset that he felt at the time of penning it – that's why the letter was unsigned and unsent afterwards.

Wonder then, what motivated Lincoln to retain this letter as a reminder or record of his own resolved personal dilemma? Or, as was read somewhere, did he simply put the letter away and forgot about it, never to look at it again?

Perhaps his retention of it is understandable, given the magnitude of the event to which it pertained. Lincoln was fully aware of Gettysburg historical significance, as shown in his address, so perhaps he retained it in his personal papers on the premise that, some day once all the participants were long dead and no ones feelings or reputations could be injured, the letter might be published to reveal his initial reaction to the news of Lee's escape. Or perhaps he simply kept it as a reminder of a time he felt like being unfair, and instead restrained himself.

Or possibly, if one is feeling slightly less charitable, he retained it so as to have proof of his story of restraining himself... after all anyone can say they penned a rebuke, but never sent it. It's quite another thing to have the physical proof of it. It would make a good prop in a story designed to make one look more virtuous. He was after all a politician and master at telling stories which were simultaneously self-effacing yet also made him appear virtuous, or at very least no worse than any of his opponents.

 

[John Hartwell]

Agree. Thought the retention of this proposed correspondence was the most interesting aspect of events surrounding this letter.

Is there really any evidence that the letter was deliberately retained? Perhaps its survival is accidental.

 

[jackt62]

Rank amateur, people criticize Jefferson Davis for micro-managing military actions, but at least he had some experience and did less damage than Lincoln's mismanagement.

Lincoln was surely a "rank amateur" when it came to military affairs but he did develop over time, a better understanding of when to leave things to the truly military men. This was particularly so when he elevated Grant to supreme command (although even then, Grant realized that anything but an overland campaign rather than a seaborne or southern flanking movement would not have passed Lincoln's muster.) But Davis' management was in a different category. He was incapable of establishing and imposing an overall grand strategy for attaining southern independence and his obsession over favoring friends and punishing foes blindsided any reasonable critical path that could have led there.

 

[jackt62]

Is there really any evidence that the letter was deliberately retained? Perhaps its survival is accidental.

Lincoln was said to often record thoughts and feelings in written form, without necessarily hitting the send button. His close secretaries Nicolay and Hay would have known whether a particular letter was sent or not.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Is there really any evidence that the letter was deliberately retained? Perhaps its survival is accidental.

Thought this a valid question.

If there is no other evidence of Lincoln retaining unsigned/unsent letters (as was wondered previously), then perhaps this 'one-off' can be plainly attributed to mere inadvertence.

 

[Ole Miss]

In a former life as a university administrator---before personal computers---I would write memos/letters expressing my views/thoughts/opnions regarding whatever person or event had created my agnst. I wisely tore it up and rewrote my memo/letter after a nights sleep and a calmer head. Lincoln wisely knew that he had run out of combat generals and Grant had just won the great prize of Vicksburg which split the Confederacy in twain, so he shelved the letter. If he had survied his second term and had time to review his papers, this little gem showing his frustration and the incredible pressure that was upon to end this disorderly civil rebellion! It merely shows the human side of a excellent President of the United States! Honor to his memory!!
Regards
David

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Lincoln was being especially unfair to Meade here, similar to how he'd been to McClellan following the Maryland Campaign. Both men had just had their armies battered in fending off against Lee's invasions, but still had been able to defeat Lee (Meade of course at Gettysburg, and McClellan at South Mountain).

My thoughts about these non-pursuits have been similar to yours. Their armies had indeed suffered. Logistically, getting the ammunition trains and food to support their large armies in moving fast enough to catch up with Lee would have been next to impossible. Lastly, even after the defeats, Lee would, when caught, have turned and fought like a desperate tiger.