North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-04-29

but that had indicated in that order the only way
| in which could command the Army of the Poto-
mac. accordingly took this order, already signed
and issued in due FORM with the exception of being
made public, to the President of the United States
and handed him the order together with my resigna-
ton of my commission, as major-generaL told
| him that he knew my views upon that subject that
/ Ihad never sought any command, more particularly
that ofthe Army of the Potomac; that my wish was
to 60 into civil life after it determined that
could no longer be of in the army that desir-
ed no public position of any kind whatever. At the
same time said that desi.ed not to place myself
in opposition to him in any way, nor to do anything
to weaken the government said he conl1 now
say to me; "You may take the responsibility of
issuing this ORDER and will approve it," and
would take that responsibility if he would say that
it would be sustained after il ssueo because he
would have to approve it, for had right to dis
| miss man or condemn a man to death without his
approval. In case that order (No. 81 could not be
| approved by him, there was my resignation, which
he could accept and that would end the matter for
| ever so far as was concerned that nothing more
would be said in reference TO it. told aim that he
| could be sure that my wish was to have that done
which was best for the public service, and that
| the only way in which could command the Army Of
the Potomac The President replied to me. "1
think you are right. The suppression here,
in the body of General Burnsides report of the Pres
ident's answer are the committees, not ours. But
must consult with some of my advisers about this"
said to him, e. If you consult with anybody you
will not do it in my opinion" He said "I cannot
help that must consult with them" I replied
that he was the judge, and would not question his
right to do what he pleased,
| TIE President asked me to remain all thltday. I
| replied that could not remain away from my COM
| mand that he knew my views and was fixed and
| determined in them He then asked me to come up
that night again. I returned to my command and
came up again that night and got here at six o'clock
in the morning. went to the Presidents, but did
not see him. went again after breakfast, and the
president told that he had concluded to relieve me
| from the command of the Army of the Potomac and
| place General Hooker in command. told him that
was willing to accept that the best solution of th
problem, and that neither he nor General Hooker
would be happier than would be if Genera.
Hooker could gain victory there. The Presiden'
also said that he intended to relieve General Sumner
and General Franklin. I said that thought it
would be wise to do so if he made the change he pro-
posed to make. General Sumner was a much older
officer than General Hooker, and ought not to be
asked to serve under him.
We do not propose to discuss the wisdom
of order No. 8, nor to show how far the pub
lication of these shameful facts by the War
Committee agrees with their own doctrine
of the duty Of giving an unquestioning sup
port to the administration in all its measures
and all is selections of agents to carry on
the war" The committee is too low for pub
lie contempt, and General Burnside has own
acts and words acquired his just place in the
opinion of sensible men. Nor do we propose
to discuss the conduct Of General Hooker
The revelations of the committee are not full
or trustworthy enough to form the basis of
an intelligent judgment as to his past conduct
while the success Of his future enterprises
will determine the wisdom of assigning him
to his present command.
But we print these documents to show the
people of this country how the Commander
in-chief of the Army and Navy of the United
States performs the duties assigned to him
with what wisdom he selects his principal
generals; what degree of support to generals
, learned in the art Of war he, an uplearned
civilian, gives; how far he relies upon the
} opinions of the military advisers whom he
has called about him for the purpose Of hav.
ing skilled advice; with what care he cult
Yates suboTdination in his subordnates and
encourages them in military offenses against
their superiors, to whom he has assigned the
highest trusts.
/ Generals Mcclellan and Burnside have
some other experience on this point which
would be va liable in the formation of such
judgment. 1t will be made public one day oil
another. We venture to predict that Gene
!, raj Hooker, if he has not already had, will
within the next week or month have, fur
ther experience which may teach the country
similar lessons. General Mcclellan was or
dered to move in places and at times where
to bis responsible and skilled judgment move
ment seemed unwise. At other times anG
places he and General Burnside were order
ed not to move where to their responsible
: and practiced judgment movement seemed
wise. If General Hooker Ia now getting ST
milar messages and experiencing similar In
references from Mr.. Lincoln, he will proba.
bly, soon learn what the testimony before the
War Committee might earlier have taugh,
him that there is now left for him the
choice between strict adherance to his OWE
judgment and CONSEQUENT deprivation o
command and of opportunity for public ser
vice like that which General Mcclellan now
undergoes and suffers in noble and subordi.
nate silence, or compliance with he blum
dering aud vacillating decisions and lodges
of an inferior superior and a consequent trans
r