News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-11-25
A MIDNIGHT VISIT.
HOOKER'S APPOINTMENT AND RE-
MOVAL.

HOOKER'S APPOINTMENT AND RE,
An Interesting And Touching Incident o.
the Late Wur.
From paper IN The Centurv TO,
November, we take this description OF
the midnight visit of Colonel Hardie to
the headquarters of the Army of the
Potomac, near Frederick, Md, to trans.
| Ter the command from Hooker to
Meade: ''Meade was asleep, and when
| awakened was COMPOUNDED by the sight
If an officer from the War Department
standing over him. He afterwards said
that, In his semi-stupor, his first
thought was that he was to be taken to
| Washington In arrest, though no reason
occurred to him why he should be.
| When he realized the state of affairs he
became much agitated, protesting
| against being. placed in command of an
| army which was looking towards Rey-
noldS as his successor, if Hooker should
be displaced; referring to the personal
friendship between Reynolds and him
self which would make the Presidents
order an instrument of in justice to both;
urging the heaviness of the response
bility so suddenly placed upon him, in
presence of the enemy and when he was
totally Ignorant of the positions and
dispositions of the army he was to take
in charge; and strenuously Directing to
the requirement that he should 90 to
HoOker's headquarters to take over the
command without being sent for by the
commanding general as Mcclellan had
sent for Burnside and the latter for
Hooker. 1t was mental relief to the
stern Secretary of War, when General
Meade's spontaneous utterances were re-
ported to him, to note that he had
uttered no protest against Hookers be-
ing relieved of the command, even in
what might almost be called the pres
ence of the enemy. This silence on
the part of man SO regardless of him
self, so regardless of others, Mr.. Stanton
accepted as being, in itself, his com
plete vindication.
After taking Colonel Hardie's
pln1on, as professional soldier, that he
aad no lawful discretion to vary from
the orders given, horses and an escort
were ordered out and the party pro
eeeded to general headquarters, some
miles distant. Hardie undertook to
break the news to Hooker, who did not
need to be told anything after seeing
who his visitors were. 1t was bitter
moment to all, for Hooker had con
strued favorably the delay in respond
ing to his tender of resignation. and
could not wholly mask the revulsion of
leellng. General Butterfeld, the chief
Of the staff, between whom and General
Meade much GOODNESS existed, was
called in, and the four officers set them
selves earnestly to work to do the State
some service by honestly transferring
the command and all that could help to
make it available for good Tension
was somewhat eased by Meade's insist
ing upon being regarded as guest at
while General Hooker was
present, and by his requesting General
Butterfeld, upon public grounds, not to
exercise his privilege of withdrawing
with his chief; but Rockers chagrin |
and Meade's overstrung nerves made |
the lengthy but indispensable conference
rather trying to the whole party.
"When Reynolds heard the news, he !
dressed himself with scrupulous care
md, handsomely attended, rode to
headquarters to pay his respects to the |
new commander. Meade, who looked |
ike a wagon master in the marching |
'lothes he had hurriedly slipped on
when awakened in his tent, understood |
he motive of the act, and after the ex-
'hange of salutations all around, he |
ook Reynolds by the arm, and, leading
llm aside, told him how surprising, |
Imperative, and unwelcome were the |
orders he had received; how much he
would have preferred the choice to have
allen on Reynolds; how anxious he
lad been to see Reynolds and tell him
hese things, and how helpless he
hould hold himself to be did he not
eel that Reynolds would give him the
earnest support which he would have
given Reynolds In a like situation.
reynolds answered that, in his opinion,
he command had fallen where it be-
onged, that he was glad that such
weight of responsibility had not come
lpOn him, and that Meade might count
pom the best support be could give
i'm. Meade then communicated to
all that he had learned from
locker and Butterfield concerning the
Movements and positions of the two
rmies, and hastily concerted with him
plan of cooperation which resulted in
he battle of Gettysburg upon ground
elected by Reynolds.
During the afternoon the consulta-
ions were ended and, with the aid of
he representative of the War Depart
lent, the two generals drew up the
riders which were to announce formally
he change of command. In the even
az, standing in front of the command
lg generals tent, General Hooker took
cave of the officers, soldiers, and
Williams attached to the headquarters,
nd amid many God bless you,
Ieneral got into the spring wagon
hat was to convey him and Colonel
Iardie to the railroad station en- route
, Washington. When all was ready
Dr. the start, the throng about the
ehicle respectfully drew back as Meade
pproached with uncovered head; the
wo men took each other by the hand,
ome words passed between them in
low tone, the wagon moved off, and
Ieade walked silently into the tent
l8t vacated by his predecessor"