Evening star., 1895-06-19
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Reunion of the Society Held Mt New
London.

New London, Conn, Is adorned with
flags and bunting in honor of the Society
of the Army of the Potomac, which is hold
ing its annual reunion there. For week
decorators have been at work on buildings
public and private. until, no matter where
the eye turns today, the American flag and
colors are visible. The reunion of the So
ciety took place in the armory at o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
1t was voted to meet in Burlington Vt
Maj. Gen. John A. Gbbon, L. S. A. on the
first ballot was elected president. In the
evening literary exercises were held in the
third regiment armory. Major Calf, u. S.
A., delivered an address of welcome, and
Major Gen. Gibbon spoke of blunders in
the conduct of the war. referring especial
ly to outside interference with generals in
the field. He said:
Evils of Divided Responsibilities.
"If there is one well established prin-
ciple in war, it is that an army commander
in the field must have unlimited control
of military operations. Two commanders in
the field are bad enough; two one in the
field and the other out, are worse. Who
would ever think of sending a vessel to
sea with two captains aboard to sQuabble
over the command? The results of a per-
ncious interference from a distance do
net end with the specific act itself. but
unfortunately they are extended to all the
ramifications in a campaign. not only 10
the particular commander at the time,
but to his SUCCESSORS
On this point of divided responsibility the
orator referred to Mr.. Lincoln and said:
What could be clearer than the COM
parison he made between great army
with its two wings divided by a river and
an aStride of a fence, unable to hook
in front or to kick in the rear? He dis
covered in a few months that this outside
Interference with commanders in the field
brought disaster, and he himself discon-
rnI ff hnt-n hoo all I,
subordinateS iii Washington had followed
his example. How completely Mr.. Lincoln
was cured of such Interference is shown
by a story current at the time that Gen.
! Grant then commanding all the armies of
the United States was preparing to open
the campaign of 1854.
Being in command of the armies of the
United States, Gen. Grant, without con-
sulting the Secretary of War, ordered GER
tain troops in the city of Washington to
join the Army of the Potomac at the front.
The Secretary heard of it, and, sending
for the general, said:
I hear you have ordered such and such
troops out of Washington to take the field
Grant replied that he had.
" 'But' said MIR. Stanton, you cannot do
that, general; you will leave Washington
unprotected Grant replied in his quiet
way L have done it. Mr.. Secretary
But exclaimed Nr. Stanton, protest;
I will appeal to the President
Grant bowed his acquiescence. and to-
gether they went over to the White House.
Entering the Presidents room, Mr.. Stanton
turned to Grant and said: Now, general,
state your case =
"I have no case to state Grant stolidly
replied.
stanton at once poured out an indignant
protest against Grants depicting Wash
ington of troops, and throwing open the
capital to the inroads of the enemy. When
he paused. Mr.. lincoln, placing his hand
on the shoulder of the great War Secre-
tary, said: 'Well.r Stanton. Congress has
given us a man (glancing at Grant, to take
charge of these military matters, and
reckon we had better let him have his own
way ard that was all the satisfaction
Stanton could get out of him. After that,
Grant had his way much to the benefit Of
the armies in the field.