Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-04

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GENERAL HOOKER.
A Few "Reminiscences CLEANED from IN
Life of"FlghtIng Joe"

- VWS
A Few "Reminiscences Cleaned from The
Ltfs sf"FdghtinE joe"
Referring to Gen. Hookel's birth ~ Had.
Icy. Massschu .e,ts. Nov. ~. 1914, Mr.
ton:
HIS parents were excellent, quiet, hard
working people, who worshippcd God and
cndeavored 10 icl6N His commandments
Seeing that their son Joseph wss possessed
Oft resOiute, earnest nature. and gave prom
,se Of more usefulness and ipflueLce 10 the
world than be could secure as . farmer, they
had fully concluded to educate him for the
ministry; and with this purpose 10 view,
after graduating from the district school. he
was subsequently entered at Hopkins Acad.
envy. You will thus zee how near he came
TO losing the sobrlquet of "Fiehtine joe"
and wearing that CT "Holy joe" Various
occurrences took place at the academy AID
10 the town which convinced bis friends
that he was far better fitted for militsry
than a ministerial career, and would take
more naturally to the sword of official COM
msnd than TO u. Sword of the Spirit. 81,
after considerable delay, and with great re-
luctance on their part, his psrenls were pei.
suaded to give their consent to his entrance
to West Point Military Academy.
The eulogy was a very interesting sketch
% Gen. Hooker's career. Ia the course Of
1t the revere nd G, nj 'em,n s'at,d that while
10 California Hooker was asked to allow
the use Of HE name for the United States
senate. Bat either be had no ambition for
political preferment. or he considered that
the Office belonged to some one else, for he
inme liattly On Q took n energetic canvass
Of the whole state, 10 connection with Sen
ator Ncsmith, and in behalf Of an intimate
and dear friend, the lamented Colonel Ba-
ker.
The story of Gen. Heoker's first appoint
ment 10 a command by President Lincoln,
was thus told:
He FASTENED to prefer his services
through the proper channel of the wal de
partmcnt to the government, but owing to
some misunderstanding between himself
and Lieutenant General Scott bis spplica-
ton was not considered favorsbly. Disap-
pointed at this, but too proud spirited 10
make any concessions, and too much OF 9
soldier to ask for an explanation. he made
up his mind to 70 back to California, but
concluded he would visit Washington on
bis way, cali upon President Lincoln and
wish him God speed In suppressing the re-
bellion. He called; was introduced by
mistake as Capt. Hooker. Aud here be-
hold the Providence which shapes our
ende. This very mistake was the turning
point of his destiny. President Lincoln
was very busy, and was about to turn away
from "Capt. Hooker" sitter Q few courteous
words, to attend to come one else when the
miscalled captain" exclaimed t"Mr. Presi-
dent, was introduced to you rs Capt
Hooker. l am, or was, Lieut.. Col. Hook
er OF the regular army. When this war
broke out l was at home 10 California, and
fastened to make a tender Of my services
to the government; but my relation to Gen.
Scott, or some other impeachment, stands 10
the way, and l now see no chance of max
ing my military knowledge and experience
useful. l am about TO return, but before
going was anxious 10 pay my respects 10
you, sir, and to express my wish for your
personal welfare. and fer your success In
putting down the rebellion. And while |
am about it. Mr.. President, l want to say
Ione thing more, and that is, that I was al
the battle of Bull Run the other dav, and
il Is neither vanilv Dol Boosting In Inc to
declare that l am q better general than you,
sir, had on that field"
This frank and manly, but s~elf.con6dent
assertion, attracted Mr. Lincoln's attention
at once. He gave his patriotic visitor a
quick, searching glance, to see if what be
had 30 calmly stated could be braggadocia
or badinage, and the turning point in Gen.
Hooker's destiny was reached.
Ofthe Generals personal characteristics,
the chaplain said:
Gen. Hooker was the courteous military
gentleman all who had the pleasure of his
acquaintance ever found him, with decided
I opinions of his own, which he did not hes.
itate to express when called upon, but con-
siderate and affable to a fault concerning the
honest opinions Of others, as squarely and
fearlessly expressed by them. Gen. Hooker
was especially strong and constant in his
friendships, and when one of his favorite
aids, Gen. VIM. Lawrence, of Boston, died
and word was not sent on to Garden City
soon enough for him to attend the funeral,
he referred to his disappointment with
tears in his eyes.
During his ride around Boston when the
soldiers monument was dedicated, Sept. II,
1877, he was deeply affected by the enthusi.
astic tributes of honor and affection of which
he was the object, and seemed hardly able
to credit the fact that he could be so widely
and unmistakably popular. The conviction
vas forced upon him, however, as his old
comrades on many a we'll fought field crowd.
ed around his carriage by hundreds and
thousands, that they might once more grasp
his hand. His lips quivering with emotion
he turned to me and exclaimed, 80, chap
lain, this is simply wonderful