Elizabeth Blair Lee wrote to her husband, a Union naval officer commanding the squadron blockading the North Carolina coast, from the Maryland estate of her politically prominent family. Her father, Francis Preston Blair, was an adviser to Andrew Jackson who now counseled President Lincoln; her brother Montgomery was postmaster general; and her brother Frank was a former Republican congressman from Missouri who now commanded a division at Vicksburg.
Silver Spring
My Dear Phil We are here still on tiptoe with all eyes turned towards the north West where I have felt all day that a mortal combat was going on for our Country’s life & I think our troops are more alive to the exigencies of the country ever before— besides Meade has just done what the Rebels did two years ago— ordered the instant death of the recreant— if this had been done by Grant we would have had Vicksburg. & saved many brave men by punishing the Cowards & preventing their Contagion from spreading— & that is one reason why the Rebels fight well Our political Generals are afraid to deal with our Army according to Military discipline— I have great hopes of Mead the whole family are people of talent & energy & as he was born in Spain he can never be President— thus will not be warred upon by Politicians or get a tete monte himself
Letters today from Frank who writes confidently They know that Bragg’s army are coming on them. but says they have now means to cope with them— but Grant hopes to be in Vicksburg before they turn to fight Joe Johnston— Frank encloses a letter to him from Sherman giving the history of Genl McClellands dismissal by Grant
A letter today from Meade to the P says yesterday at 3 olk— he had all his Army concentrated but 2 corps were so prostrated for an immense march that he would not attack until today— Our Army lay in full view of the enemy I think Lee will retreat if it is possible— Our two corps 1st & 11th got the best of the fight with Longstreet & Hill until they were reinforced by Ewell— when it became a drawn battle— Mead says they got our field of battle & the wounded which gives them therin the Victory in all else the battle was a drawn one— I send you a poster which is cast on every wall in New York— Your devoted Lizzie No news from Silver Spring today— Father rides to the Fort in a few minutes— Mother is very content here—
July 3, 1863
Washington July 4, 1863
Dear Phil Mother Blair & I have just returned from the Country where we went after a 7 olk breakfast— We found everything in good order & as quietly beautiful as ever— birds were joyous & dogs gave Blair a riotous welcome and I think all three of us were heartily sorry to come back to the City— altho entirely comfortable here
The news from the Armies is favorable but scarcely decisive enough for my appetite but I confess to some relief about things for our Army was not concentrated as rapidly as the enemy & I feared bad results from the fatigue & scramble with which it was collected— but Meade has only had it in hand 6 days— & in that time has fought three of them— he is in good position & on the defensive to get his men rested & in hand for an assault— Betty says there was an artillery train by this door today which took three quarters of an hour to pass— I have just asked Brother for the news & he says nothing especial—
Blair is firing of his small artillery in the alley under the window where he first realized that his Country had a birthday— & this one will long be remembered by the Nation & Lee’s retreat will sanctify it anew in the feelings of the people— He commenced his Retreat at 3 olk this morning— Now I hope Meade will show his energy of which none of his family I’ve known lack— that is the trait of the race— especially in a quarrel or fight— but George & Robt— who was my friend always kept themselves out of the family feuds—
I recieved a letter from Apo inviting me most cordially to come stay with her says it will be a comfort to her as well as of service to Blair & me— the journey is too long to go alone besides I am loth to leave my mother who said to me I cannot last long under such trials— & yet a little while after she was amused by Blair I feel I am a comfort to her & it is a great one to your own affecate Lizzie
Sunday July 5/63 I was too late getting in town to have this mailed yesterday, I went next door with it & there met your Secy with a dispatch in his hand— he said it was a matter of business— Dalhgren son a Capt. intercepted a letter of Jeff Davis’ to Robt. Lee which developes their plan of this perilous campaign out of which he is trying now to extricate himself— the plan was for Lee to lead off Hooker just as he has done— take Harrisburg & then strike for Phila & Baltimore & Cut off all our Railroad resources— when Beauregard was to strike in at the rear of Washington led by Stuart— but when Cooper came to ordering off Beauregard— Jeff objected it seems that he had not been taken in confidence by Cooper & Lee— & his intercepted letter shows this fact— & he explains how impossible it is to part with Beauregard— that the Yankees are at the White House & threatening Charleston from which place he has had to reinforce Johnston & through the mercy of God we are saved by Jeff fears— for if Beauregard had accompanied Stuart last Saturday this day a week ago— Washington would now have been in the hands of the Rebels— that you & I know—
Meade would pursue Lee instantly but has to stop to get food for his men!! this I heard the President say when we met him at the White House door— where we took Blair to see the fireworks in which he was disappointed— And he also said that Meade said he was not yet certain whether Lee was beating a retreat— or in search of a good stronghold— at which to have another fight— You see the details of the battles so I need not dwell upon them I shall return home tomorrow— but Nothing is sure in this world. Your own Lizzie