I believe that Meade was doing a CYA for himself and probably for others who would have been dragged into the matter if he had been implicated. We certainly know that Stanton (and his henchmen Baker and Wood) were more than willing to play fast and loose with ‘the rules’ and Lincoln’s treatment of the Constitution does not bear close scrutiny either – that is, not if one reveres the Constitution.

Sorry, but give the above, I can see no reason for – and every reason against – believing that Dahlgren or Kilpatrick (or both) were solely responsible for what was planned.