The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-10-28

a A
Fighting Joe Hooker on the Battle OF
Gettysburg; on EASTERN and western
Troops; and orr Various Generals
and Other Distinguished Persons.
from an interview reported III the Cincinnati Com
merciaLJ :;
MCCLELLAN AND MEADE.
"Isn't it strange that in a case like this
a call for Democratic biography in connec.
ton with the preSidency-we never hear
George 3. McClellan's name proposed
more?"
"McClelIan does not reach the Democratic
Judgment any longer. They have got over
that enthusiasm which at one time seized all
the people, the army, and the press at the
mention Of his name. He obtained about
1862 popularity nobody ever had beside at
anv time in the war. But it arose from his
personal, not his military, qualities
"What Gid you think, k,of McClelan-and
remember that bis earliest critics in the field
were you and Phil. Kearney?"
"We did express adverse views very
early as to McClelan's action. but we were
not animated by dislike. like Mcclellan
much, and we always meet cordially. lie
was too kind and good Il man, as SAID OF
Mr. Lincoln, to entertain the gross idea OF
slaughtering masses OF men. When his
army was ready, its ranks full, aud the dis
position to move on grew tumultuous, Nc
Cleilan weakened lest somebody might get
hurt. Yet I know Of no way to conclude
| such issues except in blood. No." mused
the General, Mcclellan is at his best rs the
president of college, or some kindly, USE
| iul ayocation where the bodies OF men are
not to be hurled, violently together. The
war would have been going On yet with
Mcclellan in conmand."
| ""Your successor. in the Army OF the Po-
tomac, General Meade, do you rank MN
very high?"
| though respectable officer. The battle OF
gettysburg reflected no credit on either Lee
| or Meade. 1t was great event without
masters on either side. regard Long
streets criticisms on Lee at that battle as
sound. He attacked US at our strongest
point with an uneXampled artillery IRE.
crosswise and on his flank, for march OF
sixteen hundred yards (!, whereas by
moving little either way, south or nolth,
he would have forced the abandonment OF
the position. On the other hand. 1t Is
said that General Meade did not place
the. different corps, and they found
their places, so that Sickles had his
own battle. Gettysburg was Won by
the steadineas OF the Federal troops, who
| had learned to stand where they were struck,
| each corps returning battle manfully. And
added General Hooker, "they learned thai
| fashion under my tuition. Meade, Rey'
nolds, and Sedgwick had been my corps
| commanders until within n few days before
| Gettysburg. 1t was while had it that the
Army OF the Potomac got its discipline and
took it, with $1,000 absentees. The means
employed to get them back frightened Mr..
| Lincoln.' 'I2'@'
"I sent a new set of men for them and
gave corps-badges to the army, and awaken
| ed the spirit of corps honor. And giving
| leaves OF absence for from week to two
weeks, / said to each furloughed officer OF
soldier: 60, bring back your comrade.
! The ranks closed up, and we soon had men
| enough.'' .,. ..........
4 General, I remember the saying thai
4 Hooker was always on time onening bat
tie, as ut Antietam, when, as they were
looking at their watches on the stroke OF Z
your cannon smote the morning."
/ 81 was ordered by General Mcclellan tt
move my troops across the Antietam, ant
when I got them over and in motion, anC
rode back and reported it to Mcclellan fol
his final orders, he said: Thank God
there is one corps in this army that does
march without excuses, and at the appointed
time,' and quote that remark, in Mcclellan:
last days of command, to show that hearmy
Of the Potomac did not exist as an obedien
| thing when Mcclellan left it, and when
gave it up to Meade it stood corps, by corp:
as at Gettysburg. took it crude and dis
cordant. left it an army"
EASTERN AND WESTERN TROOPS.
"Was it ever the equal of the western
armies for fortitude?"
| "McCIellan gave it the impression tha
to great extent clung to it. The genera
officers had derived from him the idea 0
| what an army ought to be. After it became
seasoned, however, it was the best army IL
the country. In the West most OF the fight
ing was on the picket line. That arose from
the woodland life Of the people; who natu
rally adopted bushwhack tactics. Yet ] dt
think thut the natural grit OF the western
soldiers was little the best. Grant, how
ever, had never seen such an army as wher
he came East
"Was the western generalship superior
| to the eastern : 80
GAS rule, the different men OF the east
ern armies were sent West to take com
mands, both in the Federal and Secession
Governments. The first time western
army ever enyeloped the enemy was a
Lookout Mountain." s
:. Have you any choice between volunteer
troops and regulars f,' It
II was brought up to believe in regulars
| and no other kind OF troops. II never want
to have regulars again. Give me volunteers
Always >.al-.s. # .s
aExplain that, General"
"The regular troops, as they are re,
cruited. are mainly tramps. A man who
cannot earn twelve dollars month in ciyi
life must be a poor business agency for any.
thing. The volunteer service brings for
ward the flower Of our youth, men OF af., +,
dent spirit and heroic competition. was
In Newark, IN. j.. the other day at Q regl-
mental dinner. Looking around me I said,
In wonder, Were these some Of my hoys2
Are these priyates Their manners were
like officers. Yet they carried the rnusket.'
HOOKER ON HALLEcK.
g Was there not desire to replace you in
command OF the Army Of the Potomac after
Getty ysbHrg /
i. Mr.. Chase wrote to me that Mr.. Lin
coin wanted TO restore me after Meade failed
te follow Up Lee. ! replied, & u be wants