Longstreet Remembering James Longstreet

[rpkennedy]

Did you read further and the truth dribbles out...

In the weeks and months following the campaign, Meade's leadership at Gettysburg became a topic of frequent and vociferous criticism. In the spring of 1864, the Joint Committee on the Conduct of War (JCCW) investigated the Gettysburg Campaign and specifically Meade's leadership. Meade testified before the Congressional committee on two occasions, March 5th and the 11th. Congress leveled several accusations against the commanding general, including the allegation that he did not want to fight at Gettysburg. Meade's critics used the July 2nd Council of War as evidence that the commanding general did not want to fight at Gettysburg, but infact wanted to retreat. To be sure, minimal evidence suggests that Meade favored withdrawing from Gettysburg. Such allegations stem from several of Meade's critics. Appearing before the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, Butterfield and Birney both testified that Meade wished to retreat. A March 12, 1864 article published in the New York Herald, leveled ****ing allegations against Meade's leadership and his supposed reluctance to fighting at Gettysburg. Signed "Historicus," it is popularly believed that Daniel Sickles, Meade's most noted and vocal critic, wrote this article.[12]

Butterfield and Birney did not like Meade. They were highly partisan in their comments to the committee (Butterfield was a Hooker follower and Birney was a Sickles enthusiast). The balance of the evidence just doesn't support your contention.

Ryan

 

[5fish]

No, you can't believe Butterfield. He was the one that that said retreat.

Do not forget Birney .... years later... read on...


In writing his memoir, Gettysburg and Chancellorsville, published in 1882, Abner Doubleday portrays Meade as a commanding general reluctant to fight at Gettysburg. Regarding the Council of War on July 2nd, Doubleday notes that Meade "was displeased" with his subordinates' unanimous decision to stay and fight, but "acquiesced in the decision." While not even present at the evening's council, Doubleday quoted Meade as stating, "Have it your way, gentlemen, but Gettysburg is no place to fight a battle in." Leaving no doubt to his readers, Doubleday adds, "there is no question in my mind that, at the council referred to, General Meade did desire to retreat."

 

[Rebforever]

If you go to this link talks more about the senate hearing.... Meade got a pass...

No, I know what happened without reading any further.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0806122986/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[Bee]

That is not what this article says.

Thank you Marshall -- exactly what I was going to say. Regarding Butterfield: he and Meade disliked each other. Butterfield was part of the good ol boys Trifecta of Sickles, Butterfield, & Hooker. Butterfield would have testified that the sky was green if it would have hurt Meade and helped Hooker return. Eventually, Humphries agreed to be Meade's chief of staff so that Meade could finally give Butterfield the boot, as he never wanted him in the first place.

 

[rpkennedy]

Do not forget Birney .... years later... read on...


In writing his memoir, Gettysburg and Chancellorsville, published in 1882, Abner Doubleday portrays Meade as a commanding general reluctant to fight at Gettysburg. Regarding the Council of War on July 2nd, Doubleday notes that Meade "was displeased" with his subordinates' unanimous decision to stay and fight, but "acquiesced in the decision." While not even present at the evening's council, Doubleday quoted Meade as stating, "Have it your way, gentlemen, but Gettysburg is no place to fight a battle in." Leaving no doubt to his readers, Doubleday adds, "there is no question in my mind that, at the council referred to, General Meade did desire to retreat."

Doubleday didn't like Meade either because of Gettysburg. Meade didn't like Doubleday and relieved him of command on the night of July 1st. On July 4th, Doubleday pled with Meade personally to be reinstated as First Corps commander but Meade turned him down. He then went to Washington and started bad-mouthing Meade to the Joint Committee. You're using sources with a blatant bias against Meade exclusively here.

Ryan

 

[Bee]

He then went to Washington and started bad-mouthing Meade to the Joint Committee

...a committee that had been fully primed with bias against Meade due to 1. political bias of Wade 2. campaigning by Sickles to both cover his butt and attempt to reinstate Hooker by trashing Meade.

 

[5fish]

a committee that had been fully primed with bias against Meade due to 1. political bias of Wade 2. campaigning by Sickles to both cover his butt and attempt to reinstate Hooker by trashing Meade.

Everyone is coming to a conclusion that there was a witchhunt after Meade... It is General Slocum quote years later...

But Mr. Swinton having pointed out in his "Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac," that General Butterfield's testimony is not confirmed by any other officer present at the council of war, General Doubleday advances again to the assault, armed with a letter, dated Feb. 19th, 1883, from General Slocum, quoted in full in his own. General Slocum says: -

"The question submitted was: 'Is it advisable for the army to remain in its present position, or to fall back?' The opinion of each corps commander was asked, commencing with the junior in rank. A majority were of the opinion that we should remain in the position then held by us. When each officer had expressed his views, General Meade said: 'Well, gentlemen, the question is settled. We will remain here, but I wish to say that I consider this no place to fight a battle.' I do not believe any officer who was present at this important meeting has forgotten General Meade's words."

He has no dog in this fight unlike the others... http://www.gdg.org/Research/People/Meade/meadepamph.htm

 

[5fish]

Well, gentlemen, the question is settled. We will remain here, but I wish to say that I consider this no place to fight a battle.'

I think if Meade said this... I think you could say Meade was implying "He would have picked another spot to battle Lee." He mostly likely lbelieve or was thinking Pipes creek would have been a better spot to take on Lee but history shows Gettysburg was a find place to battle Lee...

 

[Rebforever]

I think if Meade said this... I think you could say Meade was implying "He would have picked another spot to battle Lee." He mostly likely believe or was thinking Pikes Run would have been a better spot to take on Lee but history shows Gettysburg was a find place to battle Lee...

Meade already had a place to fight General Lee. He would move back to Pipe Creek where he had earthworks ready to be used. What would be wrong with that?
He couldn't help the battle started at Gettysburg. He did a fantastic job on the defense where he was with the blessing of his staff.