Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-07-07
Gen. Hooker.

We give below some extracts from the Boston
Journal correspondent, relative to Gen. Hooker
and the reasons why he left the army. The writer
says;
Gen. Hooker, at consultation in Washing
ton last Wednesday, laid before the Department
and the Cabinet bis pl,n Of operations. He be-
lieved that Lee was intending seriously an extsn.
slve invasion Of the North. TO meet him he de.
sired that all the available troops should be placed
at bis disposal. He slieved Washington TO bs
in no especial danger from an attack on the front
and asked for large portion Of Heintzleman's
troops. His request was complied with by the
President, and men in the Quartcrmsstersl De-
partmsnt were detailed for guard duty. On
Thursday he Joined the army and commenced the
movement which has placed the army in position
to fall upon Lee with tremendous force. , AH
Gen. Hooker does not believe Harper's Ferry
TO be Of any especial acco unit now that Lee has
advanced into Pennsylvania. He asked that the
troops there might be placed at his disposal in
case Of emergency. Gen. Hslleck takes differ
ent view. He appears to consider Harper's Fer,
ry as Of great value to protect Washington, and
was unwilling that there should be possibility ol
its evacuation. The request was refused by Gen.
Halleck. Gen. Hooker's instructions ordered
him not only to cover Washington and Baltimore,
but Harper's Ferry in his movements. He in
formed the department that If his request could
not be complied with he desired to be relieved
from the command Of the army. The matter was
laid before the President, and Gen. Hooker's de-
sire was granted. f...st,f
| have heard other reasons about town, and
among officers, assigned for the change Of COM
manders--that hooker had allowed Lee to out
general him ; that Hooker's rashness would en-
danger Washington but | believe the above
statement to be substantially incorrect. II was
simply whether Gen. Hooker or General Halleck
should fight the battle. After Longstrest and
Ewell had left fredericksburg, Hooker was about
to Gro" the Rappahannock and attack A. p. Hill,
believing that he could annihilate him, and then
be in from. Of Washington before Longstreet and
Ewell could make their round about march thro'
the Shenandoahj but Gen. Haleck interfered,
and he was not permitted TO make the attack.
| The change OF commanders is in no sense po-
ltca interference, but one purely military. The
issue was between Halleck and Hooker. un-
dsrs,snd that Gen. Hentzeman did not approve
Of Hooker's programme. Possibly the change
which made him subordinate to Hooker may have
influenced him. Military men and members o
church choirs do not usually like to take subordi
nate positions. 1t Is not easy 10 60 down stairs
Whether General Hooker ia right or wrong
whether he 10 great General or poor one, il
is not for me to say; but this much may b
written--that no general 10 the field has equalled
him in rapidty Of movement.
The llth Corps marched on Friday and Sat.
urdsy Jffy-fou miles 1t was over the same
ground which The army moved last fall on il
march from Berlin TO Fredericksburg. Then We
were seven days on the route. se
GEN. HOOKER LEAVING HIS OFFICERS.
In the afternoon Gen. Hooker took leave Of hi,
officers who appeared in full dress upon the occa
sion. They were drawn up in line. He passed
them, shaking hands with each, and laborne
hard TO stihe bis emotion in vain. The tears
rolled down bi, cheeks His officers in turn were
deeply affected. he made but few remarks, say.
! ing that be had hoped to lead them to victory
but the powers sbove him had OF erwise ordered
and for time be was TO be exisd TO Baltimore
tie hoped they might meet under happier aus
pcs.
lie spoke 10 high terms OF Gen. Meade. He
believed hin, 10 be q true soldier and an efficient
officer lie be-vsd they would defeat the enc
my under his le,d. He said that the army hac
already BEEN the gamer BY the cnange--for wha'
be had asked ior had been granted to his success
or. He had examined Maryland highls yester.
day and was confirmed in bis convictions that The
strength Of the place had been overestinatec
The nights did not command Il single ford. Ht
believed it corec, policy TO concentrate men
TO abandon unimportan. positions and use The
troops against the enemy, aud be was glad TO know
that his successor could use those troops II In hi
Judgment they we're needed. l $500 l'2iaie'
While writing the above have the comments
Of SIX offceD-captains aud eutenants--al
strangers to me. We are sitting in a parlor
myself writing, they talking. Here are the
opinions t.i'a l-a.i '.4 10 ii- tal
Well think ii ia too bad to have him re
moved Just now, remarked captain. "a ,.rr
81 wonder il we shall have Mcclellan back
Iqueried = hsuteuant laasfib vlh +'HD''.
well, gentlemen, you may say what yo'
please, but the Army Of the Potomac was neve
so we'll fed and clothed as il has been since 10
seph took command" fourth remarked.
"That issc,' several replied.
The officers and soldiers frequently speak 0
Gen. Hooker simply by bis Christian name, imi
ta,ing the Quakers. After memeutary silence
one who is putting bis pipe takes up The strain.
"Yes, the army was 10 q bad condition whe
Joseph took command. 1t was dispirited, demon
allied, ragged and bad of every way but il neve
was in better condition than il is to-day, and th
men begin to like him." ra1 aH