Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-11-15
THE BATTLE : FIELDS.
OLD SOLDIERS TALK OVER ARMY
EXPERIENCES.
The Blue and the Gray Review Incl
dents of the Late War, and in "a
Graphic and Interesting Manner
Tell OF Camp, March and Battle.

western Christian Advocate, chicago,
said my friend Ennis, of the Eighth
New Jersey infantry, was chaplain Of
a Michigan regiment. He had pecu-
liar experience soon after General
Burnside was relieved from command
of the army Of the Potomac and Gen
eral Joe Hooker Fighting Joe Hook
er'-succeeded him. | wonder how
many officers and men who were in
the army of the Potomac remember
striking, not to say sensational, incident
of that period?
There had been very, very gloomy
times in that army for many weeks.
The great slaughter, without Union
gain, at Fredericksburg, and the utter
failure Of Burnside's mud march had
the effect to seriously discourage both
officers and men. There were more
evidences of discomfort and demoraliza-
ton for a few weeks that winter Of
1923 in the army than existed at
any other period during the war. Men
were suspicious of their generals, ques-
toned their generalship, scolded Lam
coin for not causing a reorganization
and expressed great fear of failure to
save the country.
General Hooker had a fine record
as fighting soldier. The army had
confidence in and admiration for him,
and naturally there was much reJolc-
ing when he assumed command. AS
was sometimes the case in the army,
much of the rejoicing was helped along
by more than generous use OF COM
missary whisky. In fact, for two or
three days after Hooker took charge
a great many Of the men and pretty
nearly all of the officers who cared to
drink We're in no condition for the or
binary duties Of soldier life, and Ger
tainIy unprepared for the emergencies
of a sudden attack or a great battle.
General Hooker was not outdone in
this respect by any Of his officers. In
those days he was not averse to the
use of the ardent-a steady user Of It.
"Of course this state Of affairs
came to the knowledge of the troops,
and there was almost no end or COM
ment on 1t. Had Lee known OF the
condition in which the army was dur
ing the sad state in which Hooker and
most Of his generals were, after par
TALLY recovering from weeks OF gloom,
he could have demoraliZed, If not de-
stroyed, the army of the Potomac. 1t
is lucky for the nation that General
Lee did not know the situation Of af-
fairs. The rank and file realized the
situation; they appreciated the fact
that they would have been almost
helpless in case Of sudden attack.
Who wonders that they talked, that
they commented, that they criticised
they felt that they had been deeply
wronged by the conduct Of the man at
the head of the army and other men
holding high rank.
Much of this talk, many Of these
comments. came to the ears Of Chap
lain Edwards The .Gore he reflected
the more he felt that he had call
to perform an important duty; that it
was his plain, urgent. duty to go to
General Hooker and speak Of those
things which he had heard from the
lips of many of the men in the army
he had the honor to command. lie
didn't know General Hooker person
ally: had never met him, but he made
the visit.
after introducing himself the zeal
GUS chaplain said: General Hooker, l
have come on a mission that may re-
suit in my arrest and dismissal from
the service, if not a severer punish
ment, but I am impressed that | would
not be doing my duty to you, this
army, our country and my God were l
to remain silent.
General Hooker very kindly said !:
chaplain, be seated and let me hear
what you have to say
Or. Edwards-he was not doc
tor then, just plain reverend or chap
lain-began in this way: General
Hooker, have you any idea what the
men have been saying in relation to
the drinking customs among the
officers, NOurSelI lHcluueu, lLe last lew
days?
Hooker. not at all surprised, an
swered that he had not.
"'Then let me tell you, for l have
mingled with them and have had many
oDDortunitieS to hear their comments
they are all in one direction. When
the news of your appointment to the
command of the army of the Potomac
came there was universal rejoicing
among the men. They had the utmost
confidence in you. When they heard
that you and other officers were in
dulging to excess in that which both
unnerves and units men for the high
est duties soldiers are called upon to
perform, they murmured and express
ed fear that mistake had been made
in placing you at their head. They
have been talking among themselves
as to what might have happened had
Gneral Lee and his army attacked this