Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-08
JOE HOOKER's PROMISE
HOW Chaplain Edwards Dared 10 Tell
Him the CnpIensant Truth

j. A. Watrous in the Chicago Times Herald
Dr Edwards, editor of the Northwest
ern Christian Advocate, Chicago" said
my friend Ennis of the Sth New Jersey
Infantry, was chaplain of a Michigan
regiment. He had a peculiar experience
soon after Gen. Burnside was relieved
from command of the Army of the Poto-
| mac and Gen. Joe Hooker-'Fightinc Joe
Hooker'-succeeded him. wonder how
many officers and men who were In the
Army Of the Potomac remember a strik
Hg' not to say sensational incident OF
mat period 1t was just after the di.-
as.lous pattle OF Fredericksburg and Burn
sue useless mud march," when Hooker
TOOK command of the Army of the Poto-
mac. The men We're demoralized the Off
GERS discouraged. Drinking in the army
was prevalent, and there was belief that
Hooker was setting a very bad example.
Chaplain Edwards called on the commando
ing general.
After introducing himself the Jealous
chaplain sad: General Hooker | have
come on mission that may result I'm NV
arrest and dismissal from the service il
rot a severer punishment but | am i'm
pressed that L would not be doing my duty
TO you, this army, our country and nv
goo were L to remain silent"
Geheral Hooker very kindly said.
chaplain, be seated and let me hear what
you have to say"
IL r@dNdTus began IN TINS way. Gen
eral Hooker. have you any idea what the
men have been saying in relation to the
drinking customs among the officers, your
self included, the last few days?"
HOOKER not at all surprised answered
that he had not. Then let me tell you,
for L have mingled with them and have
had many opportunities to hear their COM
ments; they are all in one direction. They
nave been talking amolS themselves as to
what might have happened had General
Lee and his army attacked this army while
SO many of its officers including the gen.
elal in chief, were under the influence OF
slrong drink. They have expressed the be-
lief that disaster and destruction would
have been the fate. Your appointment had
the effect to lift the dark clouds of gloom
Your example, these days initiated by SO
many others, has brought back that cloud
and 1t rests heavily over your army today
Good soldiers that these men are they
are also American citizens, observers and
thinkers, and 1t will rot do to give them
too severe test
General Hooker remained silent until Dr.
Edwards reached this point. and then his
face fell into his hands. He sat in that
position for some minutes. When he
Strengthened up he looked into the face of
DIR. Edwards, and then, in a manner most
animated, asked: Chaplain, do you tell
me that that is the way the men of this
army have been talking, and that that is
the way they feel? Do you tell me that
there is a feeling of gloom among the
brave men of the Army of the Potomac
because the mead OF that army and some
of its commanders of brigades and dvis-
ions have been indulging to excess?'
That is what l have felt called upon to
tell you, General Hooker, and it is tho
truth"
Chaplain" said Fighting Joe Hooker
chaplain, l give you my promise, and
with it my hand. that so long as 1 have
command of the Army of the Potomac L
will not drink another drop of intoxicating
liquor" and then he warmly thanked the
chaplain for calling.