Washington July 13, 63

 

Sis

            I received your letter last Fryday, and I was glad to hear that you again felt your selves secure from the Rebs. Yesterday and all this morning it has been pooring rain all most all the time, so much so this morning that the Old man has not been in with the Inquirer yet, and I do not know what else could keep him unless it is a ready sail which we doubt he will have this morning, for I hear that the Chronical says that Meade has routed Lee at sharpsburg, and that the latter is retreating to Williamsport. Which if it is true leaves you doubly secure, and allso Penn^a and Maryland. If he has / retreated to Williamsport of course it is to cross, which if he has not done before this time, I think but a small portion of his men will get across even without his trains, for I think there is no doubt but that this rain will make the Potomac imposable to cross even with pontunes, and before he can get across any other way Meade can be there there to help him. I think that the puting of Meade in Hookers place was the best thing that ever hapened the Army of the Potomac. Not that Hooker was not able to manage the Army, but Meade just a new man takeing the army it gave Lee such a knock that he did not know wither he was on his feet or head, for there is no doubt that he knew prety near what Hookers plans was. If he had no traitors on our side to tell him, a man of his ability / contending with him so long could juge prety near what is plans would be, and he new prety near how to manage him, but as soon as Meade took command he commenced drawing in his forces, altho Meade keeps on. I think instead of them makeing [?] he will do the same to the Southeren Confederacy, and it will be a study among us to know as the Inquirer says, to whom we shall Grant the Meade of praise. The working men and sailors where called out or at least given orders to be ready, but they are not going not gon now at least untill it is realy nessary for them to go. I will now close wishing to be remembered to all inquireing friends, and much love to all.

                                                                                                           

Charley

 

M.E.L.

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