]
It may be said that this is the boast of the defeated side. But General
Meade, when interrogated before the war committee, stated the exact
facts.
"My opinion is now," said Meade "that General Lee evacuated that
position, not from the fear that he would be dislodged from it by any
active operations on my part, but that he was fearful a force would be
sent to Harper's Ferry to cut off his communications.... That was what
caused him to retire."
"Did you discover," asked one of the committee, "after the battle of
Gettysburg, any symptoms of demoralization in Lee's army?"
"No, sir," was General Meade's reply, "I saw nothing of that kind."[1]
[Footnote 1: General Meade's testimony may be found in the Report on
the Conduct of the War. Part I., p. 337.]
That statement was just, and General Meade was too much of a gentleman
and soldier to withhold it. He knew that his great adversary was still
unshaken and dangerous--that the laurels snatched on Round Top and
Cemetery Heights might turn to cypress, if the wounded lion were
assailed in his own position.
After the repulse of Pickett's column on the third of July, Lee had the
choice of two courses--to either attack again or retire. Meade was
evidently determined to remain on the defensive. To engage him, Lee
must once more charge the Cemetery Heights.
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