細節
MEADE, GEORGE GORDON, General. Autograph letter signed ("Geo. G. Meade") to an unidentified General, Head-Quarters Army of the Potomac, 29 April 1865. 3 pages, 8vo. on imprinted lined stationery, p. 4 with recipient's docket.
AN ARMED BLACK "INSURRECTION" IN OCCUPIED VIRGINIA?
A striking letter, written a mere two weeks after the Appomattox surrender, reflecting conditions in the wake of the Union victory and the incipient problems of reconstruction: "It is entirely out of the question for me to spare the 3d. Pa. Cavalry, for besides its value, it is with other small regiments all the cavalry I have at my command -- the rest as you are perhaps aware having been assigned to Genl. [Philip] Sheridan at the beginning of the campaign & never returned. Soon after coming to this point in view of the necessity of cavalry I applied to Genl. Grant to have the Division which always belonged to this Army returned, but without success. I have daily deputations from the surrounding country [i.e., Virginia], as far as 50 miles begging protection from Marauders composed of men of both armies, but particularly from the Negroes -- who have ceased to work, and are pillaging their former masters. In some cases these Negroes are armed, and there is really some danger of an insurrection. My small cavalry force...is kept constantly on the march, patrolling the country & arresting violaters of the peace. I think therefore you will not make any application for the 3d. Pa. because I shall be compelled to [deny] it. Genl. Halleck has the whole of Sheridan[']s command 3 Divisions to select from...." (Maxwell)
AN ARMED BLACK "INSURRECTION" IN OCCUPIED VIRGINIA?
A striking letter, written a mere two weeks after the Appomattox surrender, reflecting conditions in the wake of the Union victory and the incipient problems of reconstruction: "It is entirely out of the question for me to spare the 3d. Pa. Cavalry, for besides its value, it is with other small regiments all the cavalry I have at my command -- the rest as you are perhaps aware having been assigned to Genl. [Philip] Sheridan at the beginning of the campaign & never returned. Soon after coming to this point in view of the necessity of cavalry I applied to Genl. Grant to have the Division which always belonged to this Army returned, but without success. I have daily deputations from the surrounding country [i.e., Virginia], as far as 50 miles begging protection from Marauders composed of men of both armies, but particularly from the Negroes -- who have ceased to work, and are pillaging their former masters. In some cases these Negroes are armed, and there is really some danger of an insurrection. My small cavalry force...is kept constantly on the march, patrolling the country & arresting violaters of the peace. I think therefore you will not make any application for the 3d. Pa. because I shall be compelled to [deny] it. Genl. Halleck has the whole of Sheridan[']s command 3 Divisions to select from...." (Maxwell)