Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-11-09
THE BATTLE FIELDS.
OLD SOLDIERS TALK OVER ARMY
EXPERIENCES.
Tao Efae and the Gray Review Incl
dents of the Late War, and in "a
Graphic and Interesting Manner
Tell OF Camp, March ana Battle.

New Jersey infantry, was chaplain of
q Michigan regiment He had a pecu-
liar experience soon after General
Burnside was relieved from command
or the army Of the Potomac and Cen
eral Joe Hooker Fighting Joe Hook
err succeeded him. | wonder how
many officers and men who were in
the army of the Potomac remember a
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 10 seriously discourage both
officers and men. There we're more
evidences of discomfort and demoraIiza-
tion for few weeks that winter of
1863 In the army than existed ut
any other period during the war. Men
were suspicious of their generals, ques-
toned their generalship, scolded Lin
coin for not causing 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 rejoie-
ing when he assumed command. AS
was sometimes the case In the army,
much of the rejoicing WAS helped along
by a more than generous use Of com
missary whisky. La fact, for two or
three days after Hooker took charge
great many of the men and pretty
nearly all Of the officers who cared TO
drink were In no condition for the or.
binary duties of soldier life, and GER
tainly unprepared for the emergencies
OF a sudden attack or 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 ardenta steady user of 1t.
''Of course this state of affairs
came 10 the knowledge of the troops,
and there was almost no end Of 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
italy recovering from weeks of gloom
he could have demoralized, II 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 ease 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 more be reflected
the more he felt that he had call
to perform an important duty; that it
was his plain, urgent duty TO 90 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,
have come on mission that may re-
suit in my arrest and dismissal from
the service, if not a severer punish
ment. but am impressed that | would
not be doing my duty TO YOU this
army. our country and my God were
to remain silent
General Hooker very kindly said
"Chaplain be seated and let me hear
what you have to say
"Dr 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, yourself included. the last few
days.
Hooker. not at all surprised. an
swered that he had not.
"'Then let ME tell you, for | have
mingled with them and have had many
opportunities 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
unneryes 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
GneraI Lee and his army attacked this
army while 80 many Of It's officers, In.
Guiding the general Ia chief. were un-
tfer the influence of strong drink They