The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-05
"reminiscences of Fighting Joe Hooker.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:

10 the EdilCT NATIONAL Tribune.
"Reminiscences of General Joseph Hooker may be
interesting to some. At the time of his death he
resided Mt hotel in Garden City, Long Island n
y When Mrs. a. IT, Stewart. the owner OF this
Cathedral City, visited the hotel, { flag was always
raised in her honor If it had fioated constantly
there, it would only have been Hooker's due The
retirement suited ilirnsea hreezes. pure air, de-
Iightfui drives WAS rest for the brave soldier He
was walking in the garden when seized with his
last fatal stroke that in a few hours terminated
his life. On several occasions the general attended
the annual parade OF firernens in Hampstead and
the band played suitable pieces in his honor, and
with cheers saiuted the hero "a he received them
Shortly before his death he took dinner with n
friend residing opposite house. / noticed that
hrs face was flushed, and ne appeared very feeble
His last appearance IN public was on the occasion
OF the presentation of cane to Mr.. Harper, the
publisher. The general received an invitation to
be present at the unwilling OF the statue General
q. II. Thomas in Washington d. c., and wrote TO
friend: III meet you N Washington on the Goth
OF November" On the Sfh OF that month the chap
lain OF the Soldiers Home, Hr. Ear1lshaw attend
ed his funeral IN Cincinnati. The funeral of Gen
eral Hooker was attended by thousands of men
for he was much beloved. His war horse was led
behind the carriage that contained the casket and
his boots hung on the saddle He had selected
plot OF ground in Spring Grove cemetery, and was
buried, believe, beside his wife in this beautiful
grove. Lewis H Bond writes in the Cincinnati
Inquirer: " served on General Rockers staff and
was once assigned TO duty as Judge advocate of
court-nartial, before which private soldier OF q
Michigan regiment WIS brought charged with de-
serfion Evidence showed that he deserted three
nmes-once in the face OF the enemy He was
sentenced TO be shot. The record WAS sent to
Hooker for his approval. The general came to my
quarters ard said:
- Bond. IN this case against Private - what
do you think had better be done? Are there no,
extenuatng cireunstances?'
None that know of; he has deserted three
times
ITS there nothing that can be recommended to
gain him inercy?'
" Got thing ;-he is eonstifutonally coward ,
- That is it. sid Hooker The man il a cow
ard and You recommend him on that ground To
mercy. I'll tell You, Bond, his mother is Mt NV
quarters, begging for her sons life. want TO save
him
With this suggestion n accommodation for lem
lency was written, and, feeble white-ilaired
old lady bowed out of the generals door with
the paper, she lifted up her hand, said Cod bless
yori, General Hooker
The editor Of Nashville paper prisoner in
Rock Island, Ill, said it was extremely cold
weather when Hooker visited the prison His
keen eye scanned each man as he raised his hat
and said, Young men, am very sorry for YOU /
hope our differences will be settled so you can all
return safely home again.'n Simple as were the
words, they felt that they had his sympathy and
like stream of electricity il touched the he,irs of
those ragged rebsn and $50 men gave him hearty
cheers. Fighting Joe did his duty on the battle
field. yet, under firm exterior, he was as tender
as a father to those who needed assistance.
HEAPsTEAD. L. i. Mrs Dr.. BUCK.