East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1863-06-30
THE NEW COMMANDER.

The telegraph Informs us that Gen.
Hooker has retired from the Army Of
the Potomac, and Geueral George G..
Mead, well known to most of our citi
zcns, has succeed to his position. Gen.
Meade was born in Spain, his father at
the time being in the employ Of the
government as Consul, we believe at
Cadiz. He was appointed az Cadet
at West Point in September, 1881, and
graduated from that school on the first
of July, 1895, and was brevetted at
once as second lieutenant, and assigned
to the third artillery. Like many of
the ablest Of our young officers, he re.
signed his position in the army in 1886.
In 1912 he returned to the regular ser.
vice and was appointed as Second Lieu.
tenant of the Typographical Engineers,
for which he was cminently fitted. He
distinguished himself at the battle of
Palo Alto, under General Taylor, and
was afterw ards brevetted and promoted
for his gallant conduct in the severe
conflict of Monterey in September 1916.
AS he was attached to the army under
General Taylor he had no opportunity
to participate in the great battles fought
by General Scott and his army from
Vera Cruz to the Capitol of Mexico.
We have often heard it stated, and have
no doubt of its truth. that when jeff.
erson Davis first made the selection of
officers from the army to visit the Cri.
mea, General Meade, on account of his
services and military knowledge, was
placed at the head of the Commission,
but it was found that he could not be
spared from his then present duties, and
General Mcclellan was appointed
Whether this is true or not, we know
that General Meade among his associates
IN the army has always borne very
high reputation as an officer
For several years prior to the com
mencemcnt of the war, he was in charge
of the Lake Coast Survey, and resided
in this city. In this position, as in
every other he ever occupied, he dis.
played qualities which won for him the
commentator and praise Of the depart.
ment, and the esteem and admiration of
all who were so fortunate as to make
his acquaintance. On the 3lst of Au.
gust, 1861, he was appointed Brigadier
General of the Army Of Volunteers, and
from that date until the present he has
been connected with the Army of the
Potomac. In the battle of Chancellors.
vile he commanded the Fifth Army
Corps with great ability. From his
past experience, from known brave.
ry, from his thorough knowledge, we
are rejoiced to say, that SO far AZ we
can Judge, the Army of the Potomac
has commander in Major General
Meade every way competent to handle
it with ability, and, we trust, with sue
cess.
While we entertain these views and
congratulate the country ON tho change,
it must be remembered that the admin.
istration at Washington has made it at
time when it will try General Meade's
capacity to the utmost. The.change Of
n commander in the presence Of the en-.
envy is proof that the government was
wrong before, and il can hardly DO OK.
pec,cd that General Meade can at once
inspire The soldiers with the enthusiasm
and courage which proceeds from per,
sonal Acquaintance and intercourse with
his men. With the same opportunity we
have full confidence that he will rival
Mcclellan in this respect, but he must
fight his first great battle before he has
any such opportunity, and it remains to
DO seen whether he can win victory
against such circumstances. If he can
it will be still more to his credit.