The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-03
GEN. HOOKER At GErTYsBURa.
An Account or H's Restoration Attributed to
George O. Boutwell,.

An Account or Hts Resignation Attributed to
George O. Boutwell,.
. BOSTON. Oct. 2.-During the stormy days of
the civil war George 8. Boutwell, represented
one of the Bay State Congressional districts.
Having been Governor of his State, and being
a leading supporter OF the Administration, he
became one Of President Lincoln's confdants.
While walking along Pennsylvania avenue ono
day in the latter part of Juno. 1868. Mr.. Bout
we'll met the President who was out on ono OF
his afternoon strolls. and was invited to accom-.
phny him to tho War Department. In this way
he happened to be a witness OF the acceptance
OF Gen. Hooker's resignation. and the appoint
ment of Gen. Meade to the mman ofthe army
before Gettysburg. His story OF the affair, as
repeated by the Hon. Joseph II. O'Neil OF Boston
10 as follows:
Gen. Hooker" said Mr.. O'Neil to a Sun re.
before Gettysburs. and cam o. to o." Wos I,H tof's to
moval of 10000 troops at Harper's Ferry and
Gettysburg. Hooker and Stanton finally, agreed
to allow the troops to remain at uarper's Ferry
assembled in the vicinity OF Gettysburg to give
battle 10 the rebels under ommand Of Gen. Lee.
next nf %cr nGHte eha nssss" Sfs to Sih ND s srn DECIDED SSt fh 10
sSaPEply {, deP Ri: o,I ms p q, t.Ino The bPm aS % ma%sb e
Gettysburg. and instructinR bin TO destroy
such stores as he could not carry with HIM. In
the, meantime the commanding officer at Har-
per's Ferry had been notified by the Secretary
o. War that he was TO- remain where he was.
/ Upon receiving the order from Gen. Hooker be
telegri pned to Secretary Stanton that he had
been ordered to Gettysburg. und asked II he
orders came. Secretary Stanton. supposing the
order emnnated from some officer subordinate to
Zen Zen Hh29ser. replied by wire Certainly a9t,,
Gen. Hooker that he had been ordered by Secre-
tary stanton TO remain where he was.
command, thinking that HIS Harper's Ferry
order had been overridden by the Secretary. of
war. Ihere was "A hurried consultation that
night at the Var Department. No reason was
could assign a reason for 1t. One OF the Cabinet
officers asked Mr., Lincoln what he was going
70 40 ABOUT H. Lincoln replied that he should
ACCEPT u, nluca 10 ihe surprise % his advisers.
mHnd. Meade and Hooker were not on good
terms The former had often cast reflections on
Hookers Renrralship, especially inregArd to has
conduct AZ Elanccllorsyille. A courier started
headquarters. bearing the ~lattcr's appointmcn
to succeed Hooker in and. He arrived at
ten, meade 8 tent after mid light, and delivered
the letter Informing HIM OF his promotion Ia
succeed the man whose acts he had often criti-
cised.
\ one can tell what the result of that mis-
UNDERSTANDING cost the Union army. IL is MS
serted pretty generally that the Union force
were not mannuvred or directed rs u single
army out rather as. IA number of divisions
Meade being "A division commander. The
change OF commanders on tho eve OF battle wal
an un ortunate affair for the Union side. Wit
Hooker IN 'olnmand the enemy might have bceI
pursued AT the end of the battle instead of beinI
allowed 10 retire unmolested into Virginia. ant
thus the var might have been much more
quickly brought to u close"