Truman Seymour to Groragr A. McCall, November 7, 1862

General GroraGr A. MCCALL:

DEAR GENERAL: * * * Thad seen Hooker’s report before you sent a copy, and, as you well remark, was greatly surprised at his account of our doings. * * * It was only the stubborn resistance offered by our division, prolonging the contest till after dark and checking till that time the advance of the enemy, that enabled the concentration during the night of the whole army on the banks of the James River, which saved it. I will show your letter and the report to General Seymour. Very truly, yours, GEO. G. MEADE, Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

[Extract from a note by Brig. Gen. T. Seymour, commanding Third Brigade, McCall’s division. ]

* * * Lentirely agree with General Meade. Any explanation should come from General McCall as to the battle of New Market. Its credit and its failures are well known to him, and are mostly, if not entirely, the result of General McCall’s arrangements; and whatever General Hooker may have written, in error or otherwise, may now, after the three battles, be considered as incapable of affecting the honor of the Reserves.

Respectfully,