Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21

did not intend to remain idle: soon q more
promising plan was substituted for the dis
carded one-to effect a crossing of the river at
Banks ford above aud by a flank movement
force Lee out Of Fredericksburg. But fate
seemed to pursue both the general and the
army. The new movement had hardly begun
when heavy and continuous January rain
storm set in from the northeast, and the roads
soon became impossible for artillery and
wagons. In fact, on the second day the entire
army found itself mired; it came to an abso-
Int standstill in an ocean of bottomless mud
This brought to an inglorious end an unfor-
tunate campaign. undertaken at an inaus-
picious season, afterwsrd celebrated in the
army as "Burnsides mud march" But the
general, of course, was in nowise blamable for
its failure.
The army returned to its environments
around Falmouth by the oath. Burnside then
formulated an order Diminishing from the
service Maj. Gen. Hooker, Brig. Gems John
Newton and W. 7. II. Brooks and relieving
from duty in the Army Of the Potomac Maj
Gems. Franklin and W. +. Smith. Brig. Gems
Sturgis Ferrero and Cochrane and Lieut. Col
]. II. Taylor-for insubordinate language and
general unttness for command On the ad-
vice of confidential friends he submitted this
order to the President before it was published,
together with his written resignation. for his
lie service. After a days consultation with
the cabinet and his military advisers the Presi-
dent concluded to relieve Burnside and ap-
point Gen. Hooker in his stead. The sup
planting him with the very man at whom his
order was principally aimed instead of dis
missing him from the service as contemplated,
had hard look, but Burnside bowed Loyalty to
the Presidents will, and sent in the last
days of April, 1868, to command the Depart
ment of the Ohio.
GEN. HOOKER IN COMMAND.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker assumed COM
mand January 26, 1863 1t is generally sup
posed that the chief influence which brought
about Hookers choice was S. P. Chase, then
Mr.. Lincoln's Secretary of the Treasury. On
the day Of his appointment Lincoln wrote
Hooker one Of his strong. peculiar letters, in
which he expressed the conviction that Hooker
was a brave and skillful soldier, though he was
well aware of his having taken counsel of his
ambition and thwarted Burnside; also that he
was aware OF his having recently said both the
army and the government needed a dictator.
"Of course" continued the President, sit
was not for this, but in spite of it, that have
given you the command" Then this wise
statesman prophetically expressed the fear
that the spirit Of criticism and insubo dination
which Hooker had thoughtlessly aided to in
fuse into the army would now turn upon the
new commander, and closed the letter by ad-
Gems. Sumner and Franklin were also
relieved with Burnside, the former al. his own
request, probably because he did not like
Hooker and WAS his senior. Gen. Daniel But
terteld was made chief Of staff. Gen. Couch
succeeded Sumner In command OF the right
grand division; Gen. Meade succeeded Hooker
ID command of the center grand division; Gen.
W. L. Smith took Franklins place at the head
Of the left grand division, and Gen. Franz
Sigel commanded the grand reserve division.
The grand divisions of burnside were discon-
tinued on February5.
Gen. HoOker's appointment seems to have
been expected, and the change was hailed
with general satisfaction. Hooker a pic
turesque figure; brilliant and fascinating
man in social Intercourse, but with a good
deal of personal vanity, and handsome and
bold soldier as ever drew bride rein. IL Ii
probable he thought himself military genius,
and that it would be short and easy Job 20
whip Lee and capture Richmond. Next TO
Mcclellan the army liked Hooker best of all
its commanders.
The new generals first aim was to stop de-
sertion, which had grown into enormous
evil since Fredericksburg, and TO infuse new
spirit into the cowed and disheartened army.
His measures to secure these ends proved
speedily etficacious. but the weather
and the state of the roads precluded any for
ward movement until spring. BY the last days
of April the army had recovered its elasticity
and confidence, and Hooker was busy maturing
plans for a successful campaign against Lee. On
the Both of April, 1863, the strength Of the
Army of the Potomac present for duty was
officially stated to be follows:
First corps, Gen. John F. Reynolds. 7.I30
Second corps. Gen. D. \. Couch. . L. $50
Third corps, Gen. ID. L. Sckles. Is 9S6
Fifth corps, Gen. Geo. G. Meade. . l5 $40
Sixth corps, Gen. John Sedgwick o. $50
Eleventh q