New-York tribune., 1879-11-01
A SKETCH OLE HIS CAREER.


A SKETCH OF His CAREER.
General Joseph Hooker of the United States
Army, whose death at Garden City is announced
this morning, was familiarly known. during the late
Rebellion, as Fighting Joe Hooker; and perhaps
title ever more accurately described the physical
and mental characteristics of man. He was by
nature antagonstc. Rather than not have dis
cusson, he would shift his position in argument
where all agreed with him. His disposition to crit
icise was such that he never spared equals or SUI
periors in rank. And rather than not have fight
his hands, in lieu of enemy to combat he
wOuid fight with his associates. Without sense
of caution in battle. he also without fear.
He was incape of cool direction of an army or
a corps in battle; at the same time ii was equally
impossible for him to resist the temptation TO lead
his men, He directed his skirmish line rather than
his columns and called men to follow instead of
directing them forward. Without discretion, with
out GOODNESS, without policy, he was also without
fear without hesitation and without malice. The
soul of candor TO absolute indiscretion. he never
said or did aught through hate or envy. lie could
not resist criticism he could not avoid utterng
censure and so he made many enemies in life, all
of whom forget and forgive him in death, and only
recall that he was genial, honest impulsive and
brave Joe Hooker.
General Hooker, who was born at Hadley Mass,
IN 1913, came OF honorable ancestry. lie WIS "a
lneal descendant of Thomas Hooker. the Puritan
pioneer who led the small band of settlers through
the wilderness to found the City of Hartford and
colony of Connecticut In bOyhood he was studiOus
and profited by the instruction given at Hopkins
Academy in his native town. In 1888 he entered
the Military Academy, at West Point where four
years later he was graduated, being then second
in his class. He promptly assigned to a
second-euienancy in the artillery, and after cam
Daign in Florida against the Seminoles he
he was chiefly engaged in frontier and garrison
duty until the war with Mexico. which he entered
with all the ardor OF young soldier determined to
serve his country with fidelity and honor. He won
his brevet as captain at Monterey in 1s40. and the
year following distinguished himself in the engage
ment at National Bridge. lie took part also in the
brilliant victory of Chaputepcc, which opened to
General Scott the gates of the Mexican capital.
For his services this occasion he received the
breyet of lieutenant colonel. The over,
he WAS sent. after spell of repose, TO Cali
fornia whittier the gold-seekers were then hasten
ing in great numbers. Here be served two years,
and in February. 1853. he retired from the Army
70 engage in farming. While resident of Cali
fornla he supefintended the National road which
tends through that State to Oregon.
Colonel Hooker promptly responded to the call to
arms at the outbreak of the civil war. As soon
the guns at Sumter had proclaimed the conflict, he
renounced the comforts of rural life and fastened
from California TO this city. where he Immediately
offered his services to the Government In that
hour of gloom his aid was heartily welcome.
and Oh the 18th of May he was ap-
pointed brigader-generaI of volunteers His
skill and experience were first called into use in
comrteting the defences of Washington, and from
December. 1861, till the March following he was
employed in guarding the Lower Potomac. When
the Peninsula campaign being planned he
was assigned to the command of division in the
Third Army Corps. In the fighting on the Pen
insular "TIooker's Division" as it was popularly
known. covered itself with honor. 1t took part in
the siege of York town. the battle of Williamsburg.
and the engagements at Fair Oaks. Fraziers
Farm. Malvern Hill and Others of less note. At
Williamsburg Hooker's forces bore the brunt
of the conflict. Writing in that indie
oendent tone which he never lost, he said
In his report ON this battle, that History will not
bc believed when il is told that the noble officers
and men of my divlsio were permitted TO carry on
this unequal struggle from morning until night
unaIdod IN the presence OF more than 10000 OF
their comrades with arms III their hands. Never
tLeless il is true II failed to capture the rebel
army on the plains of williamsburg it surely will
not be ascrbed to the want Of conduct and cour-
age in my command" This devotion and bravery
of which he speaks was appreciated by the Nation.
Hooker was promoted to the rank of MajOr-Gen-
eral. his commission being appropriately dated
from the day when he acted SO credItably at Will
iamsburg. Continuing In command OF his division,
Inc took part in the battle of Manassas and the
ceeding conflict at Chantiliy.
In the Fall of 1862, General Hooker was placed
ia command of the First Army Corps. and was soon
again IN the thick of battle; AT South Mountain
he drove the enemy from their position over the
summit of that emlnence. On the eve OF inc Dattie
of Antietan, his forces went across The creek to
turn Lees left but no decisive result followed save
that the Confederate commander was mus enap,su t
TO divine McClellaD's plan for whioh through ihe
HgaSer Pigns n opened the battle sadvancing against
Lees left AT first ts successful dooo ne was Was
resi- of the line showed Lee that he could transfer
fresh troops to the left with impunity. When the
veteran Sumner came up with his forces. he found
mat Hooker's had been dispersed and routed.
Uooker himself wounded early III the day:
Gong forward to reconnoiier. on loot. he returned
aud remounted amid shower OF rebel bullets
which he had all the morning disregarded,
bnt the next moment "a muskot ball went
tbrouph his foot, infctng severe and in-
tensely painful wound, which compelled hm
Afr ewing his orders fully and deliberately TO
leave the field.
Rrlpadicr-GcncIal III the regular army, but his
wound detained him from the field until November,
when he WAS placed ia coDiol OF the centre grand
division third ana NTH cOTpsi, IN Inc newly ofgal-
ized Army of the Potomac. then under the command
oi General burnside. At FrcdcrIcksburc December
IA 1862 this grand division was divided aHd IN
Good part sent to reinforce General Franklin the
Mon lett, while Hooker himself, believing the ut
tack the heights hopeless required repeated ana
order an advance. In liis disastrous battle Hook
el'- grand division suffered total loss oi about
4 800 men, Burnside intended 10 leave his corps IN
rb ia ,f Fredericksburg, but on HoOkers declaring
mat lie conld not hold tie town, Burnside with
drew the entire amy, leaving the COniedeTaics mas
tcrs oi tIe lrii.
General Barnsde having been relieved of com
rn.ud oi the ArinF of the Potomac, General HooAer
MAS promptly dt signated as his successor. Nhcn
Ia assumed control, lts sp.ri ana ,nitenrh were at
vrr, ion clb Tie d.. oicd the tno ensuing mon hs
10 imprsyin- abc Discipline and eXd'ti"g the %lrit
L. l. l. -----.