The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-06-06


his touch at a moments notice-never
astray-always in position. He was
gifted with a quick intuition of his ene-
my's purpose. His thirst for informa-
ton about the enemy was incessant and
Unsuitable, and he took the best means
to get it, at whatever cost. When neces-
sarv. he went to bis picket-line and re-
connoitered in person. Although never
wasteful of lives and limbs, he counted
them as nothing compared with victory.
A soldier bv intuition and instinct and
profession, Hooker's sword was adorned
hy the best accomplishments known to
the art of war. He manuvered an army
rs easily as a company. His pickets
were always pushed to the very toes OF
his adversary-vet he was annoyed by
an unnecessary shot fired by his men on
the picket-line He complained that
such firing at night broke his mems rest,
and in the dag time it disturbed their
composure. He never tolerated random
firing in any form. A regiment Of
foreigners in forest was the only thing,
SO far as / know, that made him nervous
He felt them TO be as dangerous to their
friends as to their enemies.
wAGRAM AND cHANCELLoRsvILLE.
There are several noticeable resem-
blances between the operations Of Ma
poleon at Wagram and Of Hooker at
Charlottesville Both threw vast bodies
Of troops across a river, between sunset
and dawn. in the face Of vigilant enemies.
The passage of the Danube by Napoleon
and of the Rappahannock by Hooker,
are pointed out at our Military Academy
as the most instructive examples Of such
operations. Beth commanders failed in
profting by the surprise Of their adver-
saries. The Archduke Charles, as soon
as daylight revealed the presence of the
French army, fell back to a strong posi-
tion, from which his Austrians repulsed
their impetuous and confident assailants.
Hooker, more prudent, took up defen-
sive position in the Wilderness, to await
the capture of Fredericksburg, and the
junction of Sedgwick with the main
army. Wagram and Charlottesville
were drawn battles; that is tosay, heavy
losses on both sides, leaving both armies
effective in morale, material and strength.
There is, however, this important differ
ence-the Commanding General Of the
Union army was disabled by serious
injury, from which be never afterwards
fully recovered. This misfortune left the
Army Of the Potomac without head.
During the critical hours following the
battle of Sunday morning, May 3, 1863,
Hooker was tortured by pain and in-
capable to command. These precious
hours decided the battle.
Charlottesville and Gettysburg are
the beginning and the end of one cam
paign. Gettysburg was Hooker's re-
venge for Charlottesville. The armies
of Hooker and Lee had both been reor-
ganized both prepared for decisive re-
suits. Hooker's initiative in May chose
Virginia as the field of operations. The
check at Charlottesville and Hooker's
hurt required a brief period for recuper-
alton. Lee profted by the chance to
transfer the battle-ground to Pennsylva-
mia. Moving toward the Potomac,
threatening the Capital, Closely followed
by Hooker, Lee repeated Hooker's mis-
take at Charlottesville and sent off his
cavalry on a useless raid through Mary
land and Pennsylvania Without Stuart,
Lee was blindfolded. Hooker profted
by the presence Of Pleasonton and bis
superb Cavalry Corps, masked our ad-
vance, put our army on Lees flank,
threatening bis communications, before
be knew Hooker had crossed the Poto-
mac, thus forcing the enemy to accept
battle on our terms. Gettysburg was
won by the army reorganized by Hooker.
It was won by adopting Hooker's plan
of campaign, after Hooker was relieved.
The campaign was shaped by Hooker's
movements and executed by Buttegfeld,
Hooker's Chief of staff. The battlefield
was determined by an unforeseen collision
Of drifting columns Lee was 50 conf
dent Of success that he waited only for
the concentration of his army to attack
us wherever he might find us. The
battle Of Gettysburg began on July /,
1863, three days after Hooker asked TO
be relieved from command AS Gen.
Newton says, We were hammered by
the enemy into strong position, and
won il" 1t was corps commanders
battle. If Hooker had remained in
command, Lee would not have been per-
mitted 70 take his army back to Virginia.
The fruits Of our victory would have
been harvested. History will award to
Hooker large share of the honors of
the Gettysburg campaign. Congress
anticipated this verdict when it gave
the thanks Of the Nation TO Gen. Joseph
Hooker for the skill, knowledge, and
endurance which first covered Washing
ton and Baltimore from the neditated
blow Of the advancing and powerful
army Of the rebels, led by Gen. Robert
i. Lee"
FAILURES AND SUCCESSES.
1t cannot have escaped your notice
that there is usually popular disposition