The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-07-03
The Change of Commanders.

The order relieving Gen Hooker from the
command of the army of the Potomac will
! surprise our readers. Why it has been done
at this particular moment the public are not
informed by the authorities. There must be
some powerful reason for so doing or the
President would not have removed a com
mander in the very face of an advancing foe.
We will not speculate Oh the why's and
wherefores. That Hooker has shown him :
self to be the ablest general who has YET
commanded our forces is evident to every
man who has carefully observed the army Of
the Potomac Hooker has been censured
because he did not stop Lees advance by d
prompt Seizure of the Blue Ridge gaps. \
glance at map of the seat of war in Virgin
ia will show that this would have been ali
imprudent move on the part Of Hooker
Had he sent large number OF troops for
ward to check the rebel advance, Lee would
at once have whirled his forces around and
below Rockers army, crossed into Maryland
captured Washington and Baltimore. Evil
dence goes to show that this was the actual
programme laid down by Lee. But Hooker
saw through the ruse and kept his command
in front Of Washington, thus protecting Ma
ryland and the eastern part Of Pennsylvania.
until Lee had advanced so far north that no
fears were entertained of an attempt upon
tie capital, when Hooker made march O.
sixty miles in three days, and put himself
parallel with the enemy's advance, occupied
Thoroug hfare gap and thus prevented the
rebels hordes from occupying Manassas
This march of sixty miles in three days, con-
trasts strongly with the tiyemile- a-day ad-
vance of Mcclellan when trying to overtake
the rebels in Maryland. The people have
confidence in the President and in the gov
eminent and will cheerfully aequiesce in this
change of commanders, hoping and believing
that the time has arrived when if we put
forth all our strength, the invading army vii,
be DESTROYED and the rebellion with it.
We give below Gen Hookers farewell
address to his troops, and also Gen Meade
address on assuming command Of the Army
of the Potomac, dated June 2S, 1863.
In conformity with orders from the War
Department, dated June -, relinQush the
command of the army Of the Potomac. 1t is
transferred to Major General Geo G. Meade
a brave and accomplished officer, who has
nobly earned the confidence and esteem OF
the army in many fought fields. Impressed
with the belief that my usefulness as COM
mander Of the army of the Potomac is impair
ed, part from it Yet not without tie deep
est emotion of sorrow at parting with COM
rades OF so many battles. | am relieved by
the conviction that the courage and devotion
of this army will lever cease nor fail that Ii
will yield to my successor. as it has to me, a
hearty and willing support. With earnest
bring successes worthy of it and the motion
, bid it farewell.
(Oigned) JOSEPH HOOKER,
Major General.
GEN. MEADE'S ADDRESS.
By direction of the President Of the United
States | hereby assume command of the Ar.
my of the Potomac. AS soldier in obeving
this order, an order totally unexpected and
unsolicited, have no promises or pledges to
make. The country looks to this army to
relieve it from devastation and disgrace Of d
hostile invasion. Whatever fatigues and
sacrifices We may be called upon to undergo
let US have in view constantly the magnitude
of interest Involved, and let each man deter
mine to DO his duty. leaving to an all control-
ing Providence the decision of the contest.
| 1t is with ditiidence that relieve in com
mand of this army an eminent and accom-
plished soldier, whose name must ever appear
conspicuous in the history fits achievements
but rely upon the hearty support Of my