New-York daily tribune., 1862-11-14
GENERAL EsGOExER.

GENERAL kGUOEAEh.
IL is reported from Washington without con
tradc.iOn that Gen. Hooker is assigned to the
command of the corps recently under Fit
John Portor-that officer having been ordered
10 Washington to undergo his trial Oh charge
amounting substantially to treason. II this i'
% be regarded ns only temporary assign
meut, not meant 10 defn, Gen. Hooker s
probable sphere Of permanent duty we are
content 10 wait till the President thinks beat
10 Indicate the latter But even on that sup
position it is remarkable that Gen. Hooker ia
ordered back TO command numerically infe-
rior TO the forces under him at AntIetam.
Hs received in that battlo the wound from
which hs stll suffers, ard on that field dis
play cd tho great qualities which lifted him
more c0nspicuously than ever into the public
view. 1t ia to say the least surprising that
his recovery and return to tho field should not
be signalized by recognition of his brilliant
services. But if command so Insignificant In
comparison with his ability is meant to be
permanent tho public dissatisfaction will be
no less 30.
The frequent consultations between the
President and Gen. Hooker were not unknown
TO The public. aud were understood to indicate
that his military judgment and knowledge were
valued in the council not lcss than in the
field; certainly that bis pre-eDncnt capacity
was appreciated by the President. The army
moreover, both officers and soldiers, have con-
ddence in Gen. H0oker-a confidence which IL
based on knowledge OF bis qualities as a
conlmander--on performance, not on eXpecta-
ton. Neither the army nor the nation looked
to see his gcniu, obscurcd by inadequate op-
poriunites.
In the history of that desperate yet ndeeisiSe
day which has made Antietim a terrible
household word, the central interest is the
contest on the right, where Gen. Hooker
fought. Beginning 1t with unhesitating prompt
nes, in tho reconnaissance of the night before.
be sustained it unaidcd. with uuhinching
resolution, for four hours of Wednesday morn
ing, till Rebel bullet drove him from the
field. Its incidents are fresh in all memories;
his exact aud decisive handling of troops on
difficult ground, in the dusk of evening; his
sagacity in seizing positions; the rare GOODNESS
of Judgment with which he sienced his artil-
lcry that be might not reveal his hnesj his
brilliant tactics Of the next morning; the iron
resolution with which be held his troops firm
against crushing odds; their devotion, Inspired
BY Lis courage aud exposurei his keen insight
into the battle; his energy in pursuing his
succes.--in 4 word. the consUmmate general
ship which he displayed throughout. made him
the hero Of the battle. His Peninsrlar engage
mcnts had shown that he possosse the ac-
quircnicut-. the capacity, the personal force,
which are the elements of military greatness.
Antictam revealed also that indeilnohle su-
premscy OF intellect which wc call military
genius.
Aud beyond all other qualifications, Gen.
Hooker IL IN esrne.'i has put bi, LoaFt into this
war; believes thai the rebellion can and ought
To be crushed; that armed resistance to lawful
authority mlst he subdued by arms; that the
lie Of the nstos is to be preserved whatever
goes down under the martial tread Of Ks de-
fcndcr,. How cIsarly be saw the day's great
opportunity at Antictam. with what lofty dcyo-
ton and how reliant on his own strength be
entered on its dutics-lis snswer showed when
be heard thst everything he had won had been
lort by another. 4" | would have welcomed
mortal wound IN exchange for this, if il had
not come I'LL night" Whoever saw him ia the
battle knew his greatness. His fault was, pe.-
haps, indifference to danger. lie would not,
when urged, regard hi, constant peril. But il
is to b. rccolected that his troops had been
demoralizcd under Mcdowell aud Pope. There
are times when General caHno. remember
too carefully the value Of his life. 1t was the
battle of the war-ihe temper of his soldiers
uucertnin. They had broken under Mcdowell;
they followed bnn with splendid courage. Who
.hall say he ought not 10 Lave led them'
We cGnno. phord that great General should
rot have an adequate command. THE war las not
developed such an exubersnce OF military talent
thar We have any TO spare. We have mogniii-
cent armies, unequalcd in material aud equip
ment. We have few Generals competent to
lead ,lsm. We have been out-gencralled from
tie beginning Of the war. II there had been
on our side third part cf the talent which has
won victories for treason, tho Rebellion would
have been annuatsd long since. 1t is for such
reasons that We dirccs attention to the merits
of Cor. Hooker. We have no cause 10 sup.
pose they ARE wholly unapprecioted. But the
public interest demands that they should be both
gratefully recognized aud fully ayaed OF.
IVPRRsSgNG IOsAIB-Ts.