New-York daily tribune., 1863-03-03
FROM THE ARMY or THE POTOMAC
Its Present Condition-No Longer Demor.
aliz0d-WhY Il Has Hcen.

i Corespondence OF Tie N. Y. Tribune.
On rHE kAPPAHAHsOCK, Feb. rs 1852
A visit Of few days 10 the Army OF tho Potomac
gives old soldier Of that army opportunity TO
compare is present condition with its co dition
he knew il months ago, under Gen. Mcclellan.
Gen. Hooker has a straightforward way Of going
at things which takes with the soldier There is no
show about him. lie means business in every word,
look, and net. An instance Of this plain, business
like way Of bis Of doing things occurred few days
since under my iu,Aedia,e observation lie came
riding along whereN brigade was being reviewed
by iis division officer 1t short time previous
10 the hour for review, and the men were standing
waiting IN line. lie appeared attended by only
| single orderly, whom be Immediately dispatched on
some messecc. While the orderly was absent the
General rode down tue Line, but II few feet In cd
vance Of it, looking every man in the face ss though
be would look him through. Nobody seemed to
know him, aud most SUPPOSED him TO te some curl
osity hunting civilian. Many wondered what that
old fellow wanted, and some hinted aloud that ho
must be rather green 10 be riding down line ..
battle in that manner. But the attends. comng
back and respectfully reporting to nim no dashed
of at full gaop, aud In sltb manner as to make
1t evident that he was not only military map, but
one oi some importaIlce withal.
IL was not nn'., some bours after, however, that
tenor lin. Chi.f had paid them visit, and then II
interesting TO listen to their comments did you
ace old Hooker this afternoon 7" said one Of them 10
one Of his comrades. "Yes,' was the reply, "if
that chap tina. looked at US 80 was blm. We'll,
il was they say, and aint he ah-l Of fellow 10 be
poking his moss around in that style. Mac always
used 70 have string Of dukes and aids and princes
W. long as IA funeral procession when ne came but
| guess old Joe travels bis own hook aud looks
into things for himself" The parties moving on,
a. ftrtk iuua M inn
il was fair specimen Of what i heard that after
noon and evening.
"Hooker gives us soft bread and potatoes, and
lets us 10 home; lie ii do;" hoard another say In
allusion TO recent orders. by the by, learn that
some, more officers than men proportionatey, have
taken advantage OF recent orders and stayed over
their time, thus rendering 1t doubtful whether tho
order be continued In execution. hope however,
that the order will not be repealed but that the de-
! nquents will be made TO suffer have seen the
good effects in military life Of punishing the few Tor
| the benefit OF the many, and i have likewisc seen
the evil effects of Furnishing the many because OF the
sins of the few 1t universally breeds dlssatisiac
ton, tor 1t is essentially unjust.
so Tar. then. as tho popularity or unpopulsrity Of
the chief with the men is cOncerned-s point to
which undue Importance 10 attached cverywLeie-l
for one um willing to leave the matter where u
stands. Gen. Joseph Hooker will DO popular with
men and officers lie evinces for the men all that
care for their comfort and their health which made
them like Mcclellan, and then be s better lighting
man. The soldier likes the general OF pluck. Fight
ing with him, like charity with the Christian, covers
a multitude Of sins.
Bot find that this talk Of popularity OF different
commanders 10 mainly outside Of the army--not In
i The soldiers don't care half 81 much who Ia over
them 10 certain persons would make us believe. II
they we're to vote to-day for a cOmnandern-chiof,
presume One-a OF them would not take the trouble
TO vote at ALL certainly not if they had to 60 to their
brigade headquarters u this mud to deposit their bal
lots. have been ~ days within the lines OF thus
army, and in all this time have not heard 80 much
discussion about the merits of different commanders
us have usually heard IN day outside she lines
/ was four days in one regiment and did not bear
McCeilan's name mentioned there except on one or
two occasions, when called up the subject for m
own qualification. have seen many admirers OF
Mcclellan, many that regret that he is not III conf
maDd, but have seen only two enthusiastic Nc
Clellan men, and they were both gloriously drunk.
Z" But ID the army demorazed u said l 10
Colonel whom mad fought by the side OF on more
than ono well.fought field; "will your,men night
now US well Gs they did on the Peninsula under
Mcclellan 7" " Just % we'll" said he. IL makes
no difference who leads, the men will 20 where they
are ordered" lie was right. II was not Nc
Clellans men who refused to aid gppe at Bull Kun,
il was McClean's officers But there Is discontent,
though not demoralzation, and why should thsre
Fnot he. The Army of the Potomac has never put
once been Victorious and then their victory was but
barren one. bave ottep been asked, s'pce iesv'