Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-07-18
The Retirement Of General Hooker.

The Retirement Of General Hooker.
The Portland Times Of the 18th inst, has
an article commenting rather severely upon
the ability and gcneralship Of Gen. Halleck.
after assuming that Gen. Hooker was removed
from command in consequence of disagree
ment growing out of the latter's order to
cvacuate Harper's Ferry.
This may have been the case of Hooker's
asking to be relieved from command, but we
do not believe it had any thing to do with it.
We regard it as more probable that he re-
tired in consequence of an unwillingness to
take the great responsibility of fighting Gen.
Lee a second time with diminished numbers,
with the prestige of defeat bearing upon him,
and which, to some extent at least, dispirited
his army, while it added to the confidence
and enthusiasm of the enemy.
Those who know much of Gen. Hooker
will not hesitate to believe that he was influ-
enced in his retirement from the command,
from belief that patriotism required Of him
sacrifice of every personal consideration
and interest, in order that the chances Of q
victory might be increased.
His retirement could not have been the re-
suit of rivalry on the part Of Gen. Meade
who succeeded him in the command. 1t is
said that the most intimate confidential rela-
tons existed between Generals Meade and
Hooker. Nor could it have been the result
of loss of confidence ON the part Of the
President, for nothing had transpired since
the battle of Chancellorville to justify dim
mutton of his confidence in Gen. Hooker.
1t will be remembered that the President
and Halleck visited Gen. Hooker in his camp
the day after his rc-crossing the Rappahan-
mock, and that, after consultation with
the General and his corps commanders. they
cxoncrated him from all blame in having
failed to achieve victory over Lee, and at
tributed his disaster to the failure Of the lth.
or German corps, commanded by Gen. How
ard, before the impetuous charge of Stone
wall jackson, and likewise, that the gallant
Howard, who was especially mortified on &C.
count of the bad conduct of his men, admit
ted that they were justly responsible for the
failure of Hooker to accomplish all that was
hoped for, and so confidently anticipated by
the friends of the Government.
1t will be seen by reference to the incidents
Of the late great battle near Gettysburg, Pa.
that this same Eleventh Corps. 1.-THE Germany
that lost us the battle Of Charlottesville, was
on the point of giving way before the rebel
army that was concentrated upon them, when
the gallant Howard dashed through their wa
vering ranks. shouting to them Remember
Chancellorvillc," when they rallied and
charged, it is said, like Gerry devils. sending
the rebels in disorder back down the hill,
thus securing to Gen. Meade the most glorious
and decisive victory of the war. Who can
doubt that, had they given ways this critical
juncture, as they did under Hooker. the tide
Of victory would have been in favor Of the
rebels? This practically illustrates upon
what slender threads hang the destiny Of ma
tons, and how unwise and unjust it would b.
to condemn Cen. Hooker for having failed to
rout the enemy at Charlottesville. and to
proclaim Gen. Meade the great commander
Of the age for winning victory that eclipses
all former military achievements, and which
we trust will soon end the war.
Gen. Meade is unqusstionably an able and
gallant man, but no more able and brave than
Hooker, Howard and many others who might
be named. Hooker failed to win decisive
victory by the bad conduct Of the very COM
mand that won for his more fortunate success
sor an overwhelming victory.
1t is said that during the visit of the Presi.
dent and Gen. Halleck to Hooker's camp af.
ter the battle Of Chancellorville. when at din.
ner with Hooker and his corps commanders,
that Gen. Howard. after expressing his ex-
cessive modification at the conduct Of his
command, requested to b. allowed to lead
"forlorn hope" on the first opportunity that
offered, insisting that his men would redeem
their credit; but a majority were Of the opin.
ion that it would not be safe to trust them.
But it seems Providence has grati6sd his de.
sire. and most nobly have they vindicatsd
their claim for stubborn bravery, so generally
conceded to the German soldiers.
The idea which 60 generally prevails that
Gen. Halleck. by virtue Of his rank az COM
mander-in-ch!ef Of the army Of the United
States. assumes to control the movements Of
our Generals in the field, is erroneous, and re-