The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-23
MISCELLANY.
How Gen. Hooker Got into the Seryive.

How Gen. Hooker Got into the Servive.
We find the following interesting story a.
bout General Hooker, in the Chicago Trib-
une:
"When the war broke out, Gen. Hooker,
then in California, came post haste to WASH
ington to offer his services to the Government.
General Scott was at the head of the military
affairs of the country: and between that old
gentleman and Gen. Hooker was ieudl dating
back to the Mexican war hence, as everything
relating TO the army was referred to Scott,
Hooker was suffered to apply ia vain for even
a regimental command. Disguised and mad
he made his preparations to return to the Pacif
ic coast, and was about to start, when the
first battle of Bull Run was fought. There
was nothing in that to encourage; so he went
up to the White House, as the last thing be-
fore leaving, to call on the President, whom
he had never seen. He was introduced by
some mistake of his friend, as Captain Hook
er, and the following was the conversation
that ensued;
Hooker-"Mr. President, / was introduced
to you rs Captain Hooker. Lam or was Lieu
tenant Colonel Hooker, of the regular arIny
When this war began, was at home in Cal
ifornia, and fastened to makea tender of my
serv ices to the Government; but my relation
TO Gen. Scott or some other impediments
stands in the way, and l see no chance of
making my military knowledge and experience
useful. / am about TO return, but before
going was anxious to pay my respects to
you, and to express my wishes for your per-
sonal welfare and for your success in putting
down this internal rebellion. And | want
while am at it, TO say one thing more; was
at Bull RIM the other day, Mr.. President, and
IL Is no vanity or Boosting in me to say that
am a-sight better General than you, sir, had
on that fiedi''
The President, in repeating this speech, says
that he looked at the speaker to see what man
Der of a man he was who made such boast.
His eye was clear and steady, his manner not
half SO confident as his words and altogether
he had the air of a man of sense aud intelli-
sgence who thoroughly believed in himself, and
who would at least try and make his words
good. / was impressed with him, and putting
my hand on his shoulder said-Colonel. not
Lieut.. Colonel Hooker, stay. l have use for
you, and regiment for you to command.
He did stay. Tie promised regiment was
put under his orders, and from it he was soon
promoted to a brigade, and then TO a Major
Generals place in command of a division.
In every position in which he has been plac-
ed, says Mr.. Lincoln, Gen. Hooker has equaed
the expectations which his self confidence ex-
cited. As general he has done exceedingly
well, and should he ever be called TO the COM
mand OF this army. have no doubt he would
acquit himself as gallantry any in the coun-
try.
That's the way that Gen. Hooker got into
the service. In Washington, Mr.. Lincon's
partiality for him Is no secret. When il was
determined to remove Mcclellan, the question
Of successorship was both embarrassing and
important. The Presidents inclinations and
preferences pointedto Fighting Joe' as the
man, and he yielded them to the representa-
tons OF Gen. Halleck and others with the
greatest rqltfcf and as Is said with spcref
forebodings of what would follow.