Lee began his retreat from Gettysburg on July 4, the same day a Union cavalry raid destroyed the Confederate pontoon bridge at Falling Waters, West Virginia. Meade started his pursuit the next day. The movements of both armies were slowed by heavy rain that made the Potomac unfordable. By July 12 Meade’s army reached the defensive lines Lee established to protect the crossing at Williamsport, Maryland, six miles upriver from Falling Waters. John Hay had lived in the White House since 1861 while serving as one of Lincoln’s principal secretaries. He recorded the President’s response to subsequent events.
11 JULY 1863, SATURDAY
The President seemed in a specially good humor today, as he had pretty good evidence that the enemy were still on the North side of the Potomac and Meade had announced his intention of attacking them in the morning. The Prest. seemed very happy in the prospect of a brilliant success. He had been rather impatient with Gen Meade’s slow movements since Gettysburg, but concluded today that Meade would yet show sufficient activity to inflict the Coup de grace upon the flying rebels.
12 JULY 1863, SUNDAY
Rained all the afternoon, have not yet heard of Meade’s expected attack.
13 JULY 1863, MONDAY
The President begins to grow anxious and impatient about Meade’s silence. I thought and told him there was nothing to prevent the enemy from getting away by the Falling Waters, if they were not vigorously attacked. Eckert says Kelly is up on their rear. Nothing can save them, if Meade does his duty. I doubt him. He is an engineer.
14 JULY 1863, TUESDAY
This morning the Prest. seemed depressed by Meade’s despatches of last night. They were so cautiously & almost timidly worded—talking about reconnoitering to find the enemy’s weak place and other such. He said he feared he would do nothing.
About noon came the despatch stating that our worst fears were true. The enemy had gotten away unhurt. The Prest was deeply grieved. We had them within our grasp” he said. “We had only to stretch forth our hands & they were ours. And nothing I could say or do could make the Army move.”
Several days ago he sent a despatch to Meade which must have cut like a scourge but Meade returned so reasonable and earnest a reply that the Prest concluded he knew best what he was doing & was reconciled to the apparent inaction which he hoped was merely apparent.
Every day he has watched the progress of the Army with agonizing impatience, hopes struggling with fear. He has never been easy in his own mind about Gen Meade since Meades General Order in which he called on his troops to drive the invader from our soil. The Prest. says “This is a dreadful reminiscence of McClellan. The same spirit that moved McC. to claim a great victory because Pa & Md were safe. The hearts of 10 million people sank within them when McClellan raised that shout last fall. Will our Generals never get that idea out of their heads? The whole country is our soil.”
15 JULY 1863, WEDNESDAY
Went with R.T.L. around town to concert saloons. Saw some very queer dancing and singing at one place and some very tolerable singing at a great hall where mann sauft and trinkt and raucht.
R. T. L. says the Tycoon is grieved silently but deeply about the escape of Lee. He said “If I had gone up there I could have whipped them myself.” I know he had that idea.