Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-11-03
General HOOE CT.

The death of Major General Joseph Hook
err has been announced. He was born in
1919, at IIadley, Massachusetts,, and gradu-
ated from the military academy at West Point
in 1887. He served in the Mexican war, ris-
ing to the rank of captain of artillery and
brevet of lieutenant-eolonei in the staff.
After the close of the Mexican war he was
on duty on the Pacific coast for two years,
and from 1851 to 1853 on leave of absence.
He resigned in February, 1858, remaining in
California, where he was engaged as super
intendent of the construction of the national
road and as farmer. From 1859 to 1861 he
was colonel in the California militia. When
the civil war broke out in 1861 he returned to
the east. and was present as spectator at
the battle of Bull Run. He was made brga-
dier-gencral of volunteers and put in CON-
mand of the defences of Washington, August
u, 1861 but his commission was dated back
to May II, 1861. When General Mcclellan
moved to the peninsula General Hooker's
brigade was added to the command, and for
gallant service at Williamsburg he was pro-
NOTED to be major-gcneral OF volunteers,
May 5, 1862 During General PoPe's oper-
ations 1efore Washington General Hooker
II, 1862, was wounded, and was soon after
promoted to the rank of brigadier-general Of
the regular army. At the disastrous re-
pulse Of Burnside at fredericksburg in De-
ccmber. 1862. he commanded the centre OF
the army. In January, 1868, he was APP
pointed to the command of the army OF the
Potomac. After several fents he crossed the
Rappahannock some distance above Freder-
icksburg. Reaching Charlottesville May 2,
he was attacked on the night of that day on
the right flank by "Stonewall' jackson, with
a large force, and the 18th army corps driven
back upon the centre in confusion. In the
fighting which followed General jackson was
fatally wounded, and the Army of the Poto-
mac, which was for some time in considera-
bic peril, regaining its confidence, held the
position, but two days later withdrew to the
north bank of the Rappahannock. The army
OF Nothern Virginia, under command of Gen.
eral Robert L. Lee. soon after attempted to
carry the war into Pennsylvania, but General
Hooker followed closely and compelled
battle in the vicinity Of Gettysburg. He was
relieved of his command on the 18th of June,
and General Meade, his successor command
ell at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1858.
General Hooker remained in Baltimore wait
ing orders till September "a, 1868, when he
was put in command of the Goth army corps
Consolidated from the 18th and l2th), and
sent 70 Chattanooga, Tennessee. He distin-
guished himself at Lookout Valley, Lookout
Mountain. Missionary Ridge and Runggold,
October ~, November 81, 1868 was active
ly engaged in the march to Atlanta; again
relived of command, July so, 1864; in COM
mand successfully of the northern, eastern
and lake departments, and of the retiring
board till September /, 1866. He was bre-
veted major-g general of the United States ar
my in March, 1875, and, in consequence of
disability, put upon the retired list, with full
rank of major-general in 1868. Since then
his life has been one of general retirement.