The New York herald., 1879-11-01
OBITU AIRY
MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH HOOKER.

Major General Joseph Hooker died at Garden City,
Long Island. Il quarter to six O'CLOCK evening.
The General had been in his usual health until an
hour before his death. and purposed going to New
York to-day TO attend to business matters. He gave
large dinner party the Garden City Hotel the
25h and seemed to be in the best of spirits and to
enjoy social intercourse with his many friends
fully as much at any time of his life His intel
lect uncloudei and, but for his unfortunate
lanieness. he would lavs been active as ever lie
took his accustomed walk in the Park during the
afternoon. and did not complain OF feeling i'll until
about four O'Clock, when he retired TO his own
apartments on the second floor and summoned his
valet Thomas Lawler, who assisted him to reclin-
ing position upon u couch After an hour he arose
and busted himself about his rooms until quarter
to six NJ when his valet hearing the General strug-
Cling for BREATH hastened to his side aud assisted
him to lie down upon his bed. at the same time
ringing the bell for help. Mr.. Nickerson the hotel
superintendent hurried to the room. But when
he arrived the General was dead.
Joseph Hooker was born at Hadley. Mass. in 1875
He was a descendant of Thomas Hooker. founder of
the city OF Hartford. and son OF Joseph Hooker OF
Enfield, Mass He first attended district school.
and subsequently he entered Hopkins Academy.
His father farmer. and had the reputation
OF being kind hearted. honest man. but who
had none of those qualities of mind which his son
exhibited his mother, however, was a "oihan oA
considerable intellect and energy At an early age
Joseph sent to work on farm put Always iei'
the utmost repugnance for that kind of labor. and
when the opportunity was presented FOR Ills en-
franco IN HOPKINS Academy, Hadley, he init
mated to some of his playmates that he would never
return to field work While ut the academy one of
the teachers called the attention OF Mr. H. O. Kellogg
to the readiness and dash insisting Joseph
had strong incllnations for military career. Mr..
Kellogg obtained for him an appointment as cadet at
West Point, which institution he entered IN 1885,
much against the wishes of his parents. Among
Hooker's classmates at the Military Academy were
Generals Benham, Sedgwick, French, Arnold 9Wi-
Jams, Bates and Todd who remained faithful to the
Union during the rebellion, aud Jubal A. Early
Braxton SraSg & or,rs;s ,"rcaa Hooner ana
not graduate with brillancy, his old patron had
predicted. being the twenty-eghth on the list of his
class on June 80. 1887 On July i, 1887, he was ap-
pointed second lieutenant of the First artillery,
United States army. November 3. 1888. he was pro-
ioed first lieutenant and served with his section
until July 1s4l he selected to act adju-
tant of the Military Academy, holding that posi-
ton until the Following October, wnen he
made adjutant of his regiment, which posi-
ton he retained until 1S46. when the Mexican
war broke out at which time he ordered to join
the forces the Rio Grande and act aid to Gen
era Harney. At the battles of Monterey, September
II. - and 3D. 1S46 young Hooker made himself con-
spcuous for gallantry, securing the brevet of cap
tain, and when General Scott assumed command
the forces Hooker was made assistant
aljutant general. with the staff rank OF cap
tain dating from March 8. 1S47. He went
through the entire campaign. from Vera Cruz to
ional Bridge. June H. ls4. he distinguished him
self gain the brevet of major for meritorious
services and his gallant conduct at Chapnitepec OBJ
tanned Tor him another brevet that Of lieutenant
colonel, dating from September 13, lS47. When he
returned to Washington he promoted to the
of captain OF artillery, to date from October 20.
1S4S. but the same day he vacated his regmental
commission. retaining only the brevet rank Of lieu
tenant colonel. He then went California aud
appointed to the staff or the commander Of the
Pacific. On the 2lst of February. 1853 he resigned
from army while in California where he retired
into private life and purchased tract OF land He
then became farmer Sonoma the Bay of San
Francisco From this employment, when the gov
ernment made appropriation for
tional road connecting California with Oregon,
Hooker was chosen by Colonel Bache to
superintend the enterprise. Colonel Bache
then major of the Topograph cal Engineer corps,
and in charge of the appropriation for the carry
ing out of that work. He had but just completed
tins work and returned to his farm wnen the rebel
on broke out. Hooker was strongly solicited while
Oregon to ao W his name to be used in nconnection
with the United States Senate He. however, not
only declined the suggestion. but. joining hands
with him, and was thus contessedly main instru-
Inent in placing in that body the lamented Baker
VINO his bosom friend.
As soon as he heard of the attack Fort Sumter
he lett his farm, started for the East and offered
his services to the national government. He arrived
in New York IN May, 1861. at II time when the whole
country clamorous tor war. A curious incident
is mentioned in connection with his application for
appointment to the army on this OCCASION He
had made the usual formal application for
commission and had been refused. Par
italy disgusted, he determined to return
AGAIN to California, but decided to first call
at the White House and pay his respects to Mr.. Lin
coin. He Introduced, through some mistake,
Captain Hooker, when the American Cincnnatus
made the following remarks to the Presideht:-
''5ir. President was introduced to you Cap
tain Hooker. l am was Lieutenant Colonel
Hooker OF the regular army. When this war began
was Mt home in California and hastened to make
tender of my services to the govern
Iuent; but my relation to General Scott
other impeachment stands in the way. and
see chance of making my military knowledge
and experience useful. am about to yeturn, but
before going was anxious to pay my respects to
a,
Ire aud for your success in putting down this in
rebellion And want. while am at it. to say
one thing more 1 was at Bull Run the other day,
Mr.. President. and it is vanity or boasing in me
to say that am better general than you, sir. had
Mr.. Lincoln in relating the occurrence subse
quenty said Ills eye steady ana clear. his
manner not half confident as his words and alto
gether he had the air of a man of sense and intei
genee who thoroughly believed in himself and who
would at least try to make his words good. was
impressed with him and rising out OF my chair
walked up TO him and putting my hand
on his shoulder said Colonel not Lieutenant
and and regiment % for for you to command In
every position in which he has been put
General Hooker has equalled the expectations which
Ills self confidence excited As colonel. as briga
der and major general he has done exceedingly
we'll aud should he ever be called to c mmand the
army have doubt lie would acquit himself
galantly any man in the country"
lie made prigadier general of volunteers May
II, 1861 and assumed command of brigade under
General Dix.in the Department OF Annapolis. and
subsequently of division. which was ordered to
clear out all armed III nat Parton
land lying between the Chesapeake and the Potomac
During the winter of 1872 he commanded several
expeditions the Potomac to the Virginia shore,
and captured destroyed many of the batteries
which were then bockading that river. He was in
Apri 1862, with his command. transferred to the
Peninsula, and his troops formed the SecoLd
division OF the Third corps, under General Hentzle
man. He participated in the siege of York
town TO May 4, 1862 and greatly distIn-
guished himself III the battle of williamsburg May
., as also in the chase after the enemy tot the
Chckahomny. He also made his mark at Fair Oaks,
May 81 and June l. 1862; and. during the days
battles the troops under Fighting Joe Hooker" per-
formed many deeds of vaior. especially at Malvern
Hill. For his skill and bravery he promoted to
the rank of Major General, with commission dating
from July 4. 1862. This was subsequently altered
by the President, who dated back his appoi ucpt
TO May 5. l55l
When the Army of the Potomac was sent to the
assistance OF General Pope the forces under General
Hooker were among the irst to Join him. On August
27 he defeated Ewells division OF "Stoncwall jack
sons corps at Kettle Run, and Friday. August
lr af In l.a.4 ..ctl lta.II