George G. Meade to Ulysses S. Grant, March 21, 1865

Lieutenant-General GRANT:

A person in confidential communication with Thompson and Tucker, the rebel agents in Canada, whence he has just arrived, reports that information had been received by them from Richmond to the 11th instant. It had been determined to unite the armies of Lee and Johnston, but at what point was still undecided. It was expected, but not yet absolutely resolved, that Lee’s army would leave Richmond for the purpose.

NorFouk, V. A., March 21, 1865. (Received 2.40 p. m.) His Excellency A. LINCOLN, President of the United States :

General Grant would like to see you, and I shall be in Washington to-morrow morning with this vessel (the Bat), in which you can leave in the afternoon., She is a regular armed man-of-war and the fastest vessel on the river. I think it would be best for you to use her.

GAVEEO Xs Assistant Secretary of the Navy.

City Point, V. A., March 21, 1865—7.45 a.m. Maj. Gen. GEORGE G. MEADE, Commanding Army of the Potomac: General Grant desires to know the effective mounted strength of your cavalry. J. A. RAWLINS, Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, Seb 4 March 21, 1865—7.50 a.m. Brigadier-General RAWLINS: The return of the cavalry division for March 10 showed 6,000 enlisted men equipped and present. GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac,

; : March 21, 1865—10 a.m. Lieutenant-General GRANT: :

Only twelve deserters yesterday. Some that came in late last night report that Johnson’s and Heth’s divisions were under marching orders, with two days’ ratio 8; that it was rumored they were going to North Carolina, the cars being ready on South Side Railroad for them; and that our troops were skirmishing within ten miles of Raleigh. I will keep a sharp lookout and advise you the moment I am satisfied of any movement.

GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General,

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE Potomac, March 21, 1865. Col. T. S. BOWERS,

COLONEL: Some time since a letter of Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. G. Barnard recommending Brig. Gen. H. W. Benham for promotion was referred tome. On returning this communication I indorsed on it the principle which had governed me in making nominations for brevets, and on which I had not considered the services of General Benham and certain of his staff officers as justifying me in presenting their names. Mere meritorious and faithful services in connection with military operations do not entitle officers, in my judgment, to promotion by brevet, which should be confined to distinguished good conduct and gallantry in the field and in the presence of the enemy. I find, however, that this rule does not govern the War Department in the appointments that have been made, numerous oflicers of this army of different staff departments precisely in the same category as Brigadier-General Benham, besides many officers in the department at Washington and elsewhere, having been brevetted for “faithful and meritorious services.” I learn also that an application has been made for the promotion of Brigadier-General Benham, by my predecessor in command of this army, for distinguished services in the presence of the enemy at Chancellorsville and elsewhere. Under these circumstances, fearing my action may operate to the injustice of General Benham by excluding him from a promotion given to others who have no greater claims, but were more fortunate in the superiors through whom their claims were presented to the department, I have thought it my duty to state that the failure to adopt as a rule the principle enunciated by me entitles Brigadier-General Benham and those officers of the staff recommended with him to the promotion asked for them. Brigadier-General Benham has been most earnest and faithful in the discharge of all the duties assigned to him. He has, moreover, designed and introduced into the service a light shovel for pickets, which is universally approved, and is really a very valuable suggestion. And in view of all these facts I desire to withdraw any objection to his promotion and to recommend the same. This communication is forwarded for the information and action of the lieutenant-general commanding, as the letter of Brevet Major General Barnard was referred to me by his orders.

Respectfully, yours,