Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-07-04
Important Military Change.

W AsHfSGTos, June rs.
The following is from your special cores
poudcnt, dated Frederick June 80:
General Hooker was this morning relieved
OF the command of the army of the Potomac.
General Meade succeeds him. General
Hooker was relieved at his own request.
General Hooker leaves this afternoon for
Baltimore.
1t is reported that the rebels are in occu.
patton of York and Hanover Junction, on
the Northern Central Railroad. Lees head
quarters were yesterday at Hagerstown
Longstreet's corps crossed yesterday at Will
Transport
Everything is working well with us.
HEADoUAETERs, ARMY or THE PoroMAc, !
June 2S, 1868.
This morning Colonel 1Iar,lic arrived here
by special train from Washington, IA a bear
er Of dispatches, relieving General Hooker
from the command of the army of the Poto-
mac, and appointing Major General Meade,
commanding the fifth corps. his successor.
Soon after the reception of the orders Mt
headquarters, General Hooker issued the
following address:
FAREWELL ADDRESS OF GES. HOOKER.
GENERAL ORDER no. 80.
HEADQUARTERs, ARMY OF THE PoroMAC,
FREDERICK, Mp. June rs, 1868.
In conformity with the orders of the War
Department, dated June 81. 1868. rclin
qujsh the command of the army of the Po-
tomac 1t is transferred to Major General
George g. Meade, a brave and accomplished
officer, who nobly earned the confidence and
esteem of the army on many a we'll fought
field. Impressed with the belief that my
usefulness as the commander of the army uf
the Potomac is impaired part from it, yet
not without the deepest emotion. The
sorrow Of parting with the comrades Of so
many battles il relieved 10y the conviction
that the courage and devotion of this army
will never cease nor fail ;sthat it will yield
/ to my successor, Us 1t has to me, willing
and hearty support. With the earnest
| prayer that the triumph of it''arms may
! bring successes worthy of it and the nation,
! l bid it farewell
JOSEPH HOOKER Maj. Gen.
5. +. BARsTow, Acting Adj. Gen.
ADDRESS OF GEN MEADE oS TAKING COMMAND
or'TIIE ARMY or THE roToM,c.
This order was followed by the suhjoined
address from General Meade:
GENERAL ORDER 80. 81.
HEApQUARTERs, ARMY or THE FoToMAC, |
Jun, os 1866.
Bv direction of the President of tho Uni
ted States hereby assume command of the
! Army of the Potomac. As a soldier. IL
obcying this order, an order totally uncX
pcctcd and unsolicited. have no promises
or pledges to make. The country looks Il
this army tr relieve it from the devastation
and disgrace of a hostile invasion. What
ever iatigucs and sacrifices we may be called
upon to undergo, lct~ps have in view con
stantly the magnitude of the interests invol
we'd and let each man determine to do hi
duty, leaving to an all controlling Proyi
dcnce the decision of the contest. II is will
just ditidcncc that relieve in the Commant
of this army an etlicicnt and accomplished
soldier. whose name must ever appear con
spicuous in the history of his achievements
but | rely upon the hearty support of IN.
companions n arms to assist me III the dis
charge of the duties of the important trus
which has been contided to me.
GEORGE G.. MEADE,
Major General Commanding.
5. +. BARsToW, Assistant Adj. General.
Nothing could have exceeded the surpris
occasioncd hv this announcement Tn
first rumoys of the change were scarcel
credited, and it was not until the appear
Hooker that the report was generally be
licvcd
The reasons for the change of commander
are Vet unknown, and it is believed and in
deed indicated in the brief remarks of Gen
Hooker to his staff, that he had applied t
General lIallcCk to he relieved from tn
command ot the army of the Potomac. W
are vet in the dark however, so far as tn
knowledge of General lIookcrs reasons to
making such an application arc concerned
and can only await the development q
events from headquarters.
!, The report of the change soon cxtcnnc
to the several corps, and their commander
FASTENED to bid farewell to the General. Is
three o'clock large number of officers ha
assembled, and soon after General IlookC
| appeared in the avenue before his TEN
Some time was spent in social intercourse
and to the last all formalities were disper
scd with. The parting was painful to ever
one, particularly those who had bccom
cndcarcd ~ the General by old associations
| and not few felt their eyes moistcn rs tue
took the parting hand
General Hooker was deeply Erieycd. ii
:, had been identified with the Army Of I'll
! Potomac, he said since i's organization, an
: had hoped 10 continue with Il 70 the tnC
~ W as tilt uISt amy VI 'h' N'iht'si N'l'i
: of the confidence OF the nation ana coul
. not fail Of success in the approaching Strul
l gle. He spoke of his successor as 4 gloriol
soldier, and urged all to give him thc
u earnest support.
At the conclusion Of the leav. taking u
\ more prominent officers fingered at the gcl
erals tent, and spent the evening in review
c ing the pleasant "reminiscences of the pa
and the plans for the future campaign.
II General Hooker leaves tomorrow, f
u Baltimore to which place he has been o
i dcrcd 10 report. His personal staff, incll
ding General Butterdcld, vii! accompan
" him. The officers of the several Dcpar
ments at Headquarters, will doubtlc
& remain.
General Meade was totally surprised L
r. :hc order appointing him Commander
e the Army Of the Potomac, and deeply ie
J. the weight of responsibility resting upC
J him. His appointment gives universal ~
istaction, and all express determination
" extend their hea:tiest co-spe:a,ion.
J. The City ofMcxico IA be EN ucuutet
I'm uANCIurn lima IN