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To George G. Meade1Jump to section
My dear General Meade August 11, 1863.
Yesterday week I made known to Gen. Hooker our brief correspondence in regard to him. He seemed gratified with the kind spirit manifested by both of us; but said he was busy preparing a report, and would consider.
Yesterday he called again and said he would accept the offer if it was still open; would go at once if you desire; but would prefer waiting till the first of September, unless there was to be a battle, or you desired him to come sooner. I told him I would write you. Please answer. Yours very truly A. LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ALS, NHi.Meade replied on August 12:
``You seem to think, or rather such is the inference left on my mind, that I have made an offer to Genl. Hooker & that I desire his assignment to this army. Now in the frankness, which has marked your letters, permit me to say, this is a mis-apprehension on your part. My position is purely one of acquiescence. I wrote you, that if you desired Genl. Hooker to have a command under me I should not object, but you will pardon me, if I call to your recollection, that the proposition originated with yourself that the offer when made was yours and that I have neither entertained nor expressed any desire upon the subject.'' (DLC-RTL).