Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (Library of Congress).

George Meade is on his way back to his army headquarters following a welcome chance to spend some time on leave in Philadelphia. The Willie to whom he refers is his wife’s brother. William Sergeant was appointed the colonel of the 210^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on September 24. Meade will continue to update his wife about her brother over the following months.

I have been received with the greatest kindness both by the President and Mr. Stanton. At my request, Willie’s appointment was immediately made out and given to him, and Mr. Stanton said I might rest assured my major-generalcy would in due time be given me.

I am very much hurried and leave this afternoon at six.

Meade’s correspondence taken from The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Major-General United States Army, Vol. 2, (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1913), p. 226. Available via Google Books.