The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-05-09

The New Array OF the poe
tomac-whe is the Man 10 Command its-
The Secretary Of War, in his despatch OF yes-
terday 10 tie Governor Of Pennsylyanias says
that although sthe principal operations OF Gene
raj Hooker failed, there has been no serious dis
aster to the organization and efficiency OF the
army that "not more than one-third OF Gene
raj Hooker's force was engaged that General
Stoneman's operations have been q brilliant
success" and that 'the Army of the Potomac
Will speedily resume offensive operations"
These official statements are encouraging If
we may accept them as involving new COM
mander TO the army; but Otherwise they amount
to nothing. Under the circumstances, it may be
something to boast of that the army has suffered
no serious disaster, and is still strong, compact
and efficient; but no more damaging confession
could be made In regard to General Hooker
than that 'not more than one-third" Of his
army was engaged in oil his three days battles
around Fredericksburg and Charlottesville.
In this fact alone it is evident that his army was
two-thirds larger than his abilities to manage 1t.
We would not be cruel towards General Hook
er. He Is sufficiently punished by his depler-
able failure where he had promised and had
the means and the opportunity for a glorious
success We may say, however, that in the d.
vision Of his forces when he should have massed
them against the enemy; In his movements TO
avoid general engagement where he should
have tried It; In fighting upon the do
fensive with only one-third of bis forces,
when he should have acted upon the
offensive with his whole army; that in bis
delay to bring out the enemy after crossing the
river, and in permitting them, en- masse, to
operate first upon one flank and then upon the
other; and that, finally, in recrossing the river,
when by the concentration Of his columns the
enemy dared not attack him, II is abundantly
proved that General Hooker has neither the
skill, the grasp Of mind nor the steadinsss or
selfposssesion which ought to belong to the
commander of the Army Of the Potomac.
So conclusively do we regard the facts
against him that we take IT for granted that
General Hooker is to be set aside. he has had
fair trial, splendid opportunity; he has
signally failed, and simple justice to the brave
army which he has sol grievously disappointed
demands his removal. Who, then, is the man
to command the Army of the Potomacd General
Sedgwick, with his detached corps, has done
wonders; all the other corps commanders are,
so far as we know, entitled to honorable men
ton. General Butterheld, chief Of General
Hooker's staff, appears to have distinguished
himself only in keeping out of range of the
snemy's fire. AS for General Carl Schurz, that
noisy politician, who brought, disgrace upon
his division of brave Germans, he il not f1t to
command anything, and ought to be turned
adrift What officer in the Army of the Potomac
is the proper man to lead itf
The very interesting Photographic details
which we have published from our correspond
ents on the field of Saturdays and Sundays
engagements around Charlottesville indicate
the individual. General Daniel e. Sickles,
commander of the Third Army corps, is that
man. Had his advance upon the enemy on
Saturday been promptly and strongly supported
by General Hooker the stampede Of the
Ell eventh corps might have been avoided, and
the day might have closed with our army on
the high road to decisive victory. In all the
details Of Saturdays and Sundays operations
the reader Will perceive that General sicklss
displayed that quiekness Of perception, that
prompnoss IN acrlon, and that never falling
self-possession which distinguish the great
commander. Against the possible objection
that he has had no education at military acad-
envy, We need only ssy that Julius Cesar, Oliver
Cromwell, General Washington, General jack
sen, General Scott, and a host Of other distin-
guished military chieftains Of the past and the
present, may be placed in the same category.
Active campaigning il the school in which the
man of true military geniusSoon learns more
Of the art of war than can be gained by most
men in lifetime at West Point.
We despair of that complete reorganization
of the War Once and its system Of warfare
which Is so much demanded to overthrow the
armies Of the rebellion. We fear that President
Lincoln's amiable weakness for Stanton and
Halleck is q weakness which cannot be shaken
We presume that pride of opinion will settle The
case against Mcclellan; that no other general
who has been tried and dropped will be taken
up again to command the Army of the Potopsc,
and we conclude that, with the dropping of
Hooker, some other officer Of his army will be
appointed in his place. We therefore would
call the attention of President Lincoln to Gene
raj Sickles as the man for this position, for he
has shown in the recent nine days campaign on
the Rappahannock the skill and GOODNESS Of
great commander in the hour Of action and the
crisis Of danger.
PARTY TAcrIcs-THE LAST MovE.-The Mo-
Fart wing Of the democracy held pow.wow
the other night, at which some very spirit
cd resolutions were passed in favor Of peace.
James Brooks was present and made Q
strong speech in their support. Fernando
Wood waa for ANNA raaaon or o4ho. o..4 ~