The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-13

phia Press:
WASHINGTON, Feb. G, 1868.
An intelligent gentleman, who has Just
returned from the headquarters of the Ar
my of the Potomac, and who was there
during the last two days of bitter cold
weatherSexpresses the unqualified opin-
ion that all the statements as to the de-
moralization and characterization of the
troops are gross and intentional false
hoods He was surprised to see the men
go entirely comfort ,b'e so uncomplain-
ing, in the midst of the snow and the
tempest, and so ardently devoted to the
cause of their country. Nothing seemed
to excite the soldiers more than the in
trigues Of the sympathiZers with treason
at home, and more than one breckenridge
Democrat assured him that these SYM
pathizers would be called to a terrible
account for the manner in which they are
embarrassing and assailing the Govern
ment There was hearty concurrence
in the opinion that there has never been
an army so well cared for, subsisted and
clothed, as the Army Of the Potomac. The
same gentleman was introduced to
and had long interview with
the commanding General, General
Hooker. lie found him in his COM
Portable marquee, with his intelligent
chief of staff Gen. Butterfeld, by his
side, and was greatly impressed by his
| frank, patriotic and energetic manner
| and language. Gen. Hooker is evidently
a working man, and has that profound
attachment TO the cause in which he is
fighting, without which any great leader
must hesitate, and ultimately fail. He
expressed the utmost confidence in his
army, and, am happy to add, not only
on the testimony Of the gentleman to
whom / refer, but on that of at least two
| Generals of division, with whom have
conversed during three days past, that
the army have every confidence in Gen.
Hooker. There may be some heart
burnings in few Of the higher military
circles of this great department, resulting
from those ambitions natural to all such
peculiar organizations There:is one aact in
connection with this subject which should
not be ignored; and that lie, that in cal
culating the sufferings and privations Of
our fellow countrymen in the field, we
should also make due allowances for the
care and attention bestowed upon them
and their families by the Government
and for the immense amount of leisure
time at their disposal. The long pausei
after every battle and march enable then
not simply to look after their own comforts
but TO indulge in reading and reflection,
and in many other healthy and instruct
) i've pastimes. What has vastly added
10 the confidence and enthusiasm Of the
troops composing this army is the pres
ence of the various paymasters. The
angry complaints arising from their non
payment for a long period have entirely
subsidized, and hundreds who were indig'
nant because they had not received thei
+ greenbacks for six or eight months, freely
admit that although the delay wa
) grievous, il had been productive Of com
; pensating consequences. Having had M
, money, they could spend none, and nov
that they receive ii "in a lump" thel
can send il home, and probably cOnfe
more benefit upon their families than
they had been able TO forward il monthly
Colonel Gwinn, the gallant and popula
commander Of the Corn Exchange Regi
ment, left the army for Philadelphia Of
, paid TO his regiment which had beef
conhded to him by the men to distribut
b among their families. If l could Civ
, you full history of the manifold adyan
I tages Of General Hooker's army owe
every other army in the service, 20
> would be surprised at the systematic Ct
forts TO create the impression that sue
a force conld be even partially or tempo
4 rarily demoralized.