George Meade, The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade, Major-General United States Army
George Gordon Meade, Ed.

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[410] points to be decided, and submitted them in the form of the following questions: ¹

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Questions asked

1. ‘Under existing circumstances, is it advisable for this army to remain in its present position or to retire to another nearer its base of supplies?’

2. ‘It being determined to remain in present position, shall the army attack or wait the attack of the enemy?’

3. ‘If we wait attack, how long?’

replies

Gibbon.	1. ‘Correct position of the army, but would not retreat.’
	2. ‘In no condition to attack, in his opinion.’
	3. ‘until he moves.’
	3. ‘Till enemy moves.’
Williams.	1. ‘Stay.’
	2. ‘Wait attack.’
	3. ‘One day.’
Birney.	‘Same as General Williams.’
Sykes.	Do. do.
Newton.	1. ‘Correct position of the army, but would not retreat.’
	2. ‘By all means not attack.’
	3. ‘If we wait, it will give them a chance to cut our line.’
Howard.	1. ‘Remain.’
	2. ‘Wait attack until 4 P. M. to-morrow.’
	3. ‘If don't attack, attack them.’
Hancock.	1. ‘Rectify position without moving so as to give up field.’
	2. ‘Not attack unless our communications are cut.’
	3. ‘Can't wait long; can't be idle.’
Sedgwick.	1. ‘Remain’
	‘and wait attack.’
	‘at least one day.’
Slocum.	‘Stay and fight it out.’

It certainly should be demonstrable, even without adducing any direct evidence, that the possibility of a flank movement by General Lee, threatening the lines of communication of the army, and if successful in