Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-06-30
M0rtester @allp Spp.
THE DAILY SPY.
Gen. Rockers Resignation and Some
account of His SuccessOr.

GEN HOOkcr's KesfSh0tion and Some
Account of His Successor.
HEADQUARTERs ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,
June %, lS63.-This morning Col Hardie
arrived here by special rain from Washing.
ton, as Il bearer Of dispatches, relieving Gen.
Hooker from the command OF the army of the
Potomac, and appointing Maj. Gen. Meade,
commanding the fifth corps, his successor
500 after the reception Of the orders at
headquarters, Cen Hooker issued the follow
ing address -
FAREWELL ADDRESS OF GEN. HOOKER.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAc,
FREDERICK, MD, June rs, IS63.-In con-
fOrmity with the orders OF the war depart
ment dated June y, 1868, | relinqush the
command Of the army Of the Potomac. 1t is
transferred to Maj. Gen. George G.. Meade a
brave and accomplished officer, VINO HAS no.
bly, earned the confidence and esteem of the
army on many well fought field. Impress
ed with the belief that my usefulness as the
commander Of the army of the Potomac is
impaired part from it, yet not without the
deepest emotion. The sorrow Of parting with
the comrades of so many battles is relieved by
the conviction that the courage and devotion
of this army will never cease nor fail; that
1t will yield to my successor, as it has to ne,
willing and hearty support. With the car
bring successes worthy OF it and the nation, /
bid it farewell.
JOSEPH HOOKER, Major General.
Address OF GEN. MEADE.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POToMAC,
June Is, lS63.-By direction Of the president
Of the United States, hereby assume the
command of the army of the Potomac AS
soldier, in obeying this order, an order to-
tally unexpected and unsolicited, | have no
promises or pledges to make. The country
looks to this army to relieve it from the de-
vastaton and disgrace Of Il hostile invasion.
Whatever atigues and sacrifices we may be
called upon to undergo, let us have in view
constantly the magnitude Of the interests in.
VOWED, and let each man determine to do his
duty, leaving to an all-controlling Providence
the decision OF the contest. 1t is with Just
diftidence that | relieve in the command of
this army an eminent and accomplished sol
der, whose name must ever appear conSpic-
uous in the history OF its achievements; but
L rely upon the hearty support of my COM
pan0ns in arms to assist me in the discharge
of the duties of the important trust which
has been confided to me.
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major Commanding.
Nothing could have exceeded the surprise
occaSoncd by this announcement. The first
run,ors Of the charge were scarcely credited,
and it was not until the appearance Of the
farewell address OF Gen. Hooker that the re-
port was generally believed. The reasons for
the change OF commanders are yet unknown;
it is believed, and indeed indicated in the
bret remarks of Gen. Hooker to his staff, that
he had applied to Gen. Haleck to be relieved
from the command of the army of the Poto-
mac. We are vet in the dark, however, so
far as the knowledge Of Gen. Rockers rea-
sons for making such an application are con-
cerned, and can only await the development
of events from headquarters.
The report OF the change soon extended to
the several corps, and their commanders has
tened to bid farewell to the general. By three
O'Clock large number of officers had assem-
bled, and soon after Gen. Hooker appeared in
the avenue before his tent. Some time was
spent in social intercourse, and to the last all
formalilcs were dispensed with. The part
ing was painful TO every one, particularly to
those who had become endeared to the gene
raj by old associations; and not Il few felt
their eyes moisten us they took the parting
hand Gen. Hooker was deeply grieved. He
had been identified with the army of the Po-
tomac, he said, since its organization, and had
hoped to continue with it to the end 1t was
the best army of the country, worthy OF the
confidence OF the nation, and could not fail Of
success in the approaching struggle. lie
spoke of his successor glorious soldier,
and urged all to give him their earnest sup
port
Az the conclusion of the leave-taking the
more prominent officers fingered at the gen.
erals tent, and spent the evening in review
Ing the pleasant "reminiscences of the past,
and the plans for the future campaign. Gen.
Meade was totally surprised by the order APP
pointing him commander Of the army of the
Potomac, and deeply felt the weight of re-
sponsi5ilty resting upon him. His appoint
ment gives universal satisfaction, and all ex
press determination to extend their heartest
corporation.
MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE C. MEADE.
Major General George &. Meade, the new
commander OF the army of the Potomac, was
born in Spain, about the year 10, of Ameri-
can parents. His father was at the time of
his birth very wealthy man, and was resid-
ing in Barcelona, Spain, where Capt. Meade,
now commanding the North Carolina, and the
subject of our sketch, were born. The TWO
buys were brought to this country one was
educated for the navy, which he entered in
1926 and the other for the army George u.
Meade entered West Point Military Academy
as an appontee from the state OF Pennsylva-
MIA, daring September 1881, and graduated
on the 30th OF June, 1885, standing number
nineteen in his class, which has produced
such men as Gems. Morel, Naglec, Haupt,
Patrick Martindale, Roberts, and others, as
well as postmastengeneral Montgomery Blair,
&c.
He was appointed to the army from the Dis
trict OF Columbia, and entered the service as
brevet second lieutenant OF the Sd artillery on
the LIST of July, 1885. He did not receive his
full commission until December 3lst, 1885,
when he was made full second lieutenant.
On the 26th OF October 1886, he resigned his
connection with the army OF the United States
and was engaged in private pursuits until the
wear 1872. On the 18th day OF May, 1912, he
was re.appointed to the United States militia
nv service as a second lieutenant of the topo-
graphical engineers. In this capacity he
Joined the troops engaged in the Mexican war.
His conduct in Mexico was marked with de-
termination and bravery, and at the battle of
Pao Alto he was particularly distinguished,
and so mentioned in the official reports. Dur
inc The several conflicts Of Monterey, 2lst,
22d. and 23d days Of September, 1916, he was
again distinguished, and for his bravery was
breyeted first lieutenant to date, from Sept.
%. 1916. This brevet was awarded IN May,
1917. Daring the month OF August, 1851, he
was promoted to first lieutcnancy OF his
corps, ana ON the 18Th of May, 1886, he was
further promoted to captancy, which rank
he held at the breaking out Of the rebellion.
When the rebellion broke out and presl'
dent Lincoln called tor three hundred thou
N ~