Theodore Lyman

Theodore Lyman returns to the army. He had gone back home on leave and almost immediately fell ill. Upon his return, he noted in his journal, “Gen. Meade received me very kindly.” Lyman also mentioned the reason why the two French observers who were with the army when he left were no longer around. “The fact is, old De Chanal wrote some pretty Union letters, officially, whereof one fell into the paws of the Minister of Marine, who married a secesh,” he observed. “Thereat he raised a row and it was implied to M. le Colonel that he might as well inspect the gun manufacturies, and not write so much of politics.” It will be good to have Lyman back to share his inimitable observations about General Meade and the Army of the Potomac.

It is late; I am somewhat tired and sleepy; I must be up early to-morrow, and many friends keep coming in to say “How are you?” So you will let me off from a long letter till to-morrow. It is as “nat’ral as the hogs” here. I have just taken my supper in a tent as gravely as if I never ate in a room. I got here without delay or accident and am stronger than when I started.

Theodore Lyman’s letter is from Meade’s Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman from the Wilderness to Appomattox, p. 229. Edited by George R. Agassiz. Boston, Massachusetts Historical Society, 1922. Available via Google Books.

Philip Sheridan and his generals, Henry E. Davies, David McMurtrie Gregg, Wesley Merritt, Alfred Torbert, and James H. Wilson. Tis Brady photograph was probably taken in July 1864 near City Point (Llibrary of Congress).

Meade takes a second look at Philip Sheridan’s success and the Shenandoah Valley and decides it hasn’t been so brilliant after all. He was correct that Sheridan had the advantage of numbers. At Winchester (Opequon Creek) the Union had about 35,000 troops to Early’s 12,000. At Fisher’s Hill, Early’s force had been reduced to around 9,500 and he faced Sheridan’s 29,000. So this is not entirely sour grapes on Meade’s part and he does graciously acknowledge the importance of Sheridan’s activities in the valley.

Sheridan’s victories are undoubtedly important, as all victories are; but it now turns out Early was preparing to leave the Valley, and a considerable part of his force had already gone, so that Sheridan when he attacked had greatly superior numbers. This is the secret of a great many brilliant victories. Nevertheless, the destruction of a part of Early’s forces, and the number of prisoners taken, are matters of great importance, sure to inspirit our army and people, and depress the enemy. These are points gained.

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), pp. 230-31. Available via Google Books.