New-York tribune., 1891-05-08
An INCIDENT AT ANTTETAM.
HOW GEORGE w. sMALLEY DID GOOD SERVICE
AS VOLUNTEER AID TO HOOKER

AS VOLUNTEER AID TO HOOKER.
Washington, May specsp.-rhe following account
Of an interesting incident of the battle OF Anietam is
from the forthcoming History Of the First Corps of tho
Army OF the Potomac by J. II. stlnc, Tho Official his
torian Of the corps
"The battlefield Of Antietam, besides being one OF
the bloodiest in the late war, also presented as many
deeds Of herolsm any battle recorded in history
Generals leading their commands rode to death in the
face Of the enemy, but II left to mere youth
quietly and fearessy to exhibit spirit Of valor that
astonished officers Of The Regular Army who were
veterans Of the Mexican War. This youth modesuy
code up to General, then Major. Joseph DICKINSON
Hooers adutant general and requested to be assigned
to duty an aide the Generals stan. The oatue
was raging with great fury at the time, ana
Major Dickinson reminded the applicant OF the
great danger likely TO be incurred, ana Oh tha'
OF severity, especially when the YOUNGER "".
civilian. Seeing the greatest disappointment on me
face of the young man, Major Dickinson sho NO ~
90 and see the General OF role the applicant 10
Hooker, who gave him the same answer. but wierc'er
the daring and intrepid General on MS wm'c horS'
rode 10 cheer his men, there was this youth.
After a little all OF Hoohers staf were citner
absent taking orders wounded so the coihHsaoef
OF the First Corps had to assist him. ana seeing
the GOODNESS Of the youth, turned to him. appolhUeo
him volunteer aid his staff In the miost Oh ING
battle, and at once gave him orders to be
informed by General Dickinson that tho eStemporized
staff officer did not make mistake order message
that day
"The Count Of Paris In his work, has severely crit'
cised Hooker for not taking Aliens il as 1t is called
where ]. f. Il. Stuart had his artillery stationed, near
our right flank. 1t the key OF the field; once IN
the hands Of the Union forces, the enemys line was
untenablc. Hooker had opened the battle where he
was directed lie was then only commanding the
First Corps, and had not the general management OF
the battle. With their field glasses at headquarters
they could see Hooker in the midst OF tho nght ana
should have ordered Mansfield to his right, or Sumner
who went In third over the same ground. HOOKER had
no time to watch the battle, while Others, not engaged
had When the First Corps was ordered forward the
desperation with which the enemy pressed It made IL
almost imperative for Hooker TO cheer his men Win
his presence. So he dashed TO tho mont,
and rode his horse at great speed along the first ne
which greatly encouraged the soldiers and did much to
make that part Of the field famous. Notwithstanding
the fact that Hooker was there chained down to a
particular work, yet he grasped the idea that the hill
our right, the point alluded TO- needed attention.
and he proceeded TO examine It., with TINS volunteer
aid, who was no other than George W. Smalley, the
correspondent Of The New-York Tribune and since
the war its representative in London. Hooker bad
dsmouned to go little further TO the 'front.' to make
more careful examination, and on returning Just
after he had remoInted ne was w3nnaea you IN r iy Ss
loss Of blood. Then turning TO Smalley ne saad
There is regiment to the right, order ~ forward
Crawford and Gordon coming up. Tell them 10
carry the woods and hold them, and II IS our ngnt.
But Smaley had TO assist the General from MS horse
before he could deliver the orders, as Hooker was
minute
"Thus youth unaccustomed to war made most
valuable staff officer. When Hooker was wounded,
Meade was placed In command OF the First Corps and
ably managed 1t until the battle was over"