New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-23
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AGAIN.
GENERAL HOOKER IN THE CLOUDS.

GENERAL HOOKER IN THE CLOUDS.
BOUND TO FIGHT soMEBODY--No CLOUDS AND LIT
TIE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS GRANTS PURPOSE.
To The Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: In a sketch of General Joseph Hooker
which published in Harpers MagG=iRe about ten
years ago used expression, alludng to the appro-
prateness his title OF Fighting Joe Hooker" that
he constituted mentally that il he had no enemy
In front TO do battle with, he would fight
the friends who backed him. 1t was some
thing 10 this general effect, though don't
recall the precise words. His letter published in yeser
days TRIBUNE isa new and admirable Illustration OF
is truth about him. There nothing in my letter
about Lookout Mountain to which he ought 70 have
taken exception. II written in the lundest spirit
toward him. 1 Know that his reply is in the kndest
spirit toward myself whom he knows TO have been con-
stanty friendly 10 him for many years Of acquaintance
ship but hnd that many persons look at the letter
otherwise, ana think there is a terrible eOntro-
versy and much ill-feeling between General Hooker
and myself Only the careful readers
OF both letters will that sand nothing which was not
TO ooers credit and that he really controyerts moth
ing have said
1t is evident from his letter. however, that the General
does not like give up the idea that the assault of Look
out was OF tho magnitude OF battle, and that there
were clouds there above which he fought But even he
must surrender this deusOn in time He is entitled to
the great credit at Lookout OF a mastery man0uvre
he need seek am reminded by this OF criticism |
once heard of Walkers painting OF the battle in which
the critic exclaimed: "That a battle picture Who
ever saw battle without bloOdshedP In our late re-
belion there were very few who blOodshed ex
cept their own. Hando-hgnd struggles and close con-
f,ts OF regiments and brgades yOuchsafed
TO few. / saw none in several battles witnessed
Whenever an attacking line got within about three
hundred yards the enemy they either went back in
a hurry or the others did. l know that when an at
lacking force got within three hundred yards Of me
ran away; aud, as far as L could observe
so did everybody else in my immediate neigh
borhood. General Hooker and all the others
who fought at Lookout Mountain may as well ad-
nit that there clouds aud no battle, and claim
the credit also OF there being needless boodshed
One complaint OF Hooker is that General Grant never
intended TO give the two corps Of the Army Of the Poto-
mae chance 10 distinguish themselves at Chattanooga
Il never appeared to my satisfaction them nor mas 1t
since been made manifest, that Grant intended to
divide Hooker's force 10 its disadvantage. In
moving Howard acl lss the river TO the left
he gave him opportunities for fighting which
would not have presented themselves had he
been kept with Hooker the right Only the acciden-
tai breaking OF the bridges gave Hooker opportunity TO
do any fighting. Undoubtedly Grant meant TO take
AWAY from Hooker every soldier the latter could spare
without xposiug communications with the river. Com
mon sense forbade the direct assault OF LOOKOUT NOUN
thin Common SENSE dictated the throwing oil an lhe
troops available against BraggB right 80 AS to get De
tween him and LOngstroet VINO Gad gone 70 attack
Burnside in Knoxville. Nh r. w. 5hANhS'
kear.y DYt