Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-29
W0ttester 4ailp SPY,

The ARMY CHANGEs.-The Washington
correspondents have good deal to say about
the last changes in the army of the Potomac,
and we copy some of their specula,ions. The
correspondent of the New York Post re-
marks -
''The truth seems to be that, before ac-
ccptng the command of the army OF the PO-
tomac Hooker insisted that he should have
generals under him who would support him
with enthusiasm 1t should be mentioned i'll
this connection, that Gen. Burnside was in
formed long ago that if any general of his
army stood in his way he should be with
drawn. But either Gen. Burnside had not
the courage or he lacked the disposition to re-
move any Of the corps commanders under
him. There is great deal Of speculation in
reference to the cause for Burnsidc's resigna-
ton, but it is not at all necessary to resort to
speculatiOn-there are well known facts
enough to account for the change. In the
first place it has long been known that Burn
side has endeavorcd more than once to resign
his place. He insisted upon it a month ago,
when here, that he was unfit to take charge
OF the army. This he said to the president,
and testified TO before the committee on the
conduct OF the war. He has lacked conf
dence in himself.
When General Cochrane came up here
some lime since Git is reported at the sugges-
ton OF General Franklin) to demonstrate pri-
yatcly with the president against the advance
OF the army, it is said that General Burnside
was very much offended, On the ground that
the president ought not to listen to any subor
dinate generals on such subject 1t has
been known in the army and in Washington
tor weeks that Franklin, Sumner, and Hooker,
have not had faith in the commanding general
1t is even said that Franklin has allowed his
opinions on this point to guide his acts, but
that part Of the story is doubtless incorrect
In the attempt made last week to advance
and which was prevented by the weather, there
was disagreement between the generals, and
it was somewhat serious.
If Hooker is to command the army in the
future, he is undoubtedly right in asking that
no general shall serve under him who is not
a believer in his ability to lead the troops on
to victory. 1t is an essential ingredient of
success, that his subordinate generals shall
support him and his plans zealously."
The Philadelphia Press correspondent
says:
The ordering to Washington of generals
Sumner and Franklin has created some sur
prise; but it is generally believed that it does
not mean censure of those officers. 1t is
some time to send Gen. Sumner to take the
place of Gen. Curtis as commander OF the
department of the frontier. 1t is not known
to what position Gen. Franklin will be assign
ed, but his friends think that he will be placed
in command of the defences of Washington,
so that the sturdy old soldier Gen. Heintzel-
man can take the field.
The Philadelphia Inquirer letter says
- Other changes in the army of the Pot0-
mac are rumored, and if the rumors are cor
rect the changes have evidently been based
upon a desire Of the Administration to secure
i'll the future the most perfect harmony among
the commanding officers ofthe army-a desire
which cannot fail to be gratitied to the fullest
extent under the new arrangement. The OBJ
iects to be attained can admit of no interfer-
ence by impolitic personal chickering's and
misunderstanding, and with complete accord
ance on the part of the commanders with the
views of General Hooker, the brave men of
the respective corps can anticipate again
being led on to victory