[
375]
his victory.
The terrible losses of the
battle of Gettysburg-over three thousand killed, fourteen thousand wounded, and five thousand captured or missing of the
Union army; and twenty-six hundred killed, twelve thousand wounded, and five thousand missing of the Confederates-largely occupied the thoughts and labors of both sides during the national holiday which followed.
It was a surprise to
Meade that on the morning of July 5 the Confederate army had disappeared, retreating as rapidly as might be to the neighborhood of
Harper's Ferry.
Unable immediately to cross because the
Potomac was swollen by heavy rains, and
Meade having followed and arrived in
Lee's front on July 10,
President Lincoln had the liveliest hopes that
Meade would again attack and capture or destroy the Confederate army.
Generous praise for his victory, and repeated and urgent suggestions to renew his attack and end the rebellion, had gone to
Meade from the
President and
General Halleck.
But
Meade hesitated, and his council of war objected; and on the night of July 13
Lee recrossed the
Potomac in retreat.
When he heard the news,
Mr. Lincoln sat down and wrote a letter of criticism and disappointment which reflects the intensity of his feeling at the escape of
Lee:
The case, summarily stated, is this: You fought and beat the enemy at Gettysburg, and, of course, to say the least, his loss was as great as yours.
He retreated, and you did not, as it seemed to me, pressingly pursue him; but a flood in the river detained him till, by slow degrees, you were again upon him. You had at least twenty thousand veteran troops directly with you, and as many more raw ones within supporting distance, all in addition to those who fought with you at Gettysburg, while it was not possible that he had received a single recruit, and yet you stood and let the
