The New York herald., 1863-05-08
The Retreat OF General Iooyxer--Eow
What is 10 be Done!

/ "hat - 70 oe Done!
The news Of General Hookers retrograde
movement across the Rappahannock without q
general battle, and with the enemy en- naasse in
his rear, created throughout this city yesterday
a profound sensation of disappointment and
despondency. Confident hopes of great victo
ries were changed again to painful anxieties fol
the safety of the army; for the news of the
morning left our forces crossing the swollen
river on two narrow pontoon bridges, in broad
daylight and in view of the enemy.
| We experience no small sense of relief
in being able to announce to our readers
that the army is safe in its old camp at
Falmouth. That it was permitted to recross
the river without determined effort of the
enemy to cut it to pieces satisfies us that Gene
raj Lee was not disposed to risk the expert
ment; for he has shown from the beginning a
remarkable knowledge of every movement OF
our forces. 1t is said that General Hooker was
in measure compelled to recross the river,
because, with its flooded condition, and the
almost impossible roads between it and his
depots. he was in danger Of being cut off from
bis supplies of provisions and ammunition.
After the events Of the last ten days it is
easy to see that General Hooker might have
done better. For instance, had he avoided any
signs Of an advance until General Stone
man had cut the rebel railway communications
with Richmond and returned to the army. the
reinforcements and supplies to Lee from below
might have been cut of until too late to be of
any service to him. Or had General Hooker
retained the powerful body of Stonemans g
cavalry to guard his fanks, that disastrous
rebel flank movement of Friday and Saturday
could have easily been prevented. We appre-
hend, however, that General Hookers greatest
mistake was an underestimate of the strength
of the rebels, or he surely would not have ad-
vanced beyond the river to draw them out
without the support Of Stonemans cavalry.
From the moment he touched the south side of
would have been invaluable In securing the
country and in keeping General Hooker ap-
prised Of every movement of the enemy in
season to meet It. As the matter stands, Gene
raj Mcclellan needs no other defence against
the testimony Of General Hooker before the
War Committee Of Congress than his Kappa
nannock campaign as compared with that OF
me hichmond peninsula ana that OF Maryland.
fne responsibility, however, for this unfor-
tunate movement ON hicnmond' as Tor every
otner belongs 70 tne war once At washington.
secretary stanton ana General Halleck are the
parties 70 % arraigned a. the contrivers OF THIS
depioraoie failure. OF General HOOKER with the
finest army on the planet Had they per
mlsseo 1enera Mcclellan 'sss isn 70 go on
Win MS own plans, ana mad they supported
Nun IN ms movements sne war IN virginia
would have been over msnths ago. Or had
they moved down In season Heintselmans 70
serves rom washington or brought up 70 aid
In the great struggle upon which the life Of the
rebellion depended the available forces OF Zen.
feck, rom SUFFOLK. and OF General keyes' rom
iorktown, Eenerai HOOKER might nave en-
VelcPeo ue reoei army WIN nlS superior
nunoers.
nov a m.ttsr ~ anal, ;mrortsrc. comn.raa