Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-12-31


the progress Of the march Of the Army Of
the Potomac at this time from Freder-
icksburg north. observed that Mr.. Lin
coin was anxious as the reports came in
to learn the location Of the Filth army
corps commanded by General Meade.
The reason for this was apparent soon
after. After several petulant dispatches, in
one Of which General Hooker said he had
called for re-inforcements till be should
do 30 no longer, he sent the following
from Sandy Hook, Nd, to General Hal
leck: =" My original instructions require
me to cover Harper's Ferry and Washing
ton. have now imposed upon me in
addition an enemy OF mure than my num-
bers. beg to be Understood respectful
", but firmly, that am unable to COM.
ply with this condition with the means at
my disposal, and earnestly request that /
may at once be relieved from the position
which now occupy" To this General
Halleck promptly replied, "Your applica-
tion to be relieved from your present
command is received. As you were APP
pointed to this command by the presi-
dent. have no power to relieve you.
Your dispatch has been duly referred for
executive action.n The result was that
the president Immediately sent Colonel
Hardie to the Armv of the Potomac, and
the following day. June 2s, translated
the following cipher telegram, then just
received from General Meade, ut Freder-
lex, Md
'sThe order placing me in command OF
this army is received. As a soldier l
obey II and to the best OF my ability will
execute Il. Totally unexpected as it has
been, and in ignorance Of the exact con-
dition OF the troops and the position of
the enemy, can only now say that II APP
pears to me must move toward the Sus-
quehanna, keeping Washington and Bal
timore we'll covered. and II the enemy is
checked in his pttempt to cross the sus-
quehanna, or II be turns toward Balti-
more, to give him battle. I trust that
every available man that can be spared
will be sent me, as from all accounts the
enemy Is in strong force"
After the battle OF Gettysburg had been
fought, Mr.. Lincoln was exceedingly
anxious that what remained Of the rebel
army should not be permitted 10 return
to Virginia, believing such a result
would lead to putting en- end 10 the war
On the sth OF July, General Halleck tele-
grapbed General Meade: There Is relin-
BILE information that the enemy Is cross
ing at WilIlamsport. The opportunity
to attack bis divided forces should not be
lost. The president is urgent and anx-
ions that your army should move against
him by forced marches" General Meade
replied, "Scouts from General Couch re-
port that the train at Wiliiamsport is
crossing very slowly. So long a. the riv-
or Is unfordable, the enemy cannot cross.
From ell can gather, the enemy extend
from Hagerstown to Williamsport, cover
ing the march Of their train. Their caval-
~ and infantry piekets are advanced to
the Bagerstown aud sharpsburg pike on
general line OF the Antietam. We hold
Boonesboro, and our pickets, four miles
IN front towards Hagefstown, are in con-
tact With the enemy's pickets- My army
IL assembling slowly. The rains Of yes
terday and last night have made all roads
but pixies almost impossible. A large
portion of the men are barefooted. Shoes
will arrive at Frederick today and win be
issued as soon as possible. The spirit Of
the army is high. Be assured ! most
earnestly desire to try the fortunes OF war
with the enemy on this side Of the river,
hoping through Providence and the brav-
cry Of my men 10 settle the question. But
should do wrong not to frankly tell you
AAAAA0MANALN 49,
to find the enemy in q strong position,
well covered with artillery, and do not
desire to initiate his example ct 0ettys-
burg and assault q position when the
chances are greatly against success.
wish In advance to moderate the expecta-
tions OF those who, in Ignorance Of the
difficulties to he encountered may expect
too much. All that I can do under the
circumstances pledge this army to do
To this General Halleck Immediately re-
piled :--"Do not understand me as ex-
pressing any dissatisfaction. On the
contrary, your army has done most no
bly,. only wish to give you opinions
formed from information received here.
II is reported from near Harper's Ferry
that the enemy have been crossing for the
last two days. II Lees army Is 80 divid.
ed BY the river, the importance Of attack.
ing the part on this side is inealculable.
Such an opportunity may never occur
again. II, on the contrary, he has
massed bis whole force on the Antietam,
time must be taken to also concentrate
\ younforces. General Kelley was ordered
some days agn to concentrate at Hancock
and attack the enemy's right. General
Brooks is also moving from Pittsburg Il
reinforce Kelley. Troops arriving from
New York and Fort Monroe are sent di
rectly to Harper's Ferry, unless you ordel
differently You will have forces enough
to render your victory certain. NV onl,
fear Is that the enemy may escape By
crossing the river.'' General Meade re
piled on the same day:-"My informa-
tion as to the crossing Of the enemy doe
not agree with that Just received in you
despatch. His whole force IS in position
between Funkstown and Williamsport
have just received information that b
has driven my cavalry force in front o
Boonesboro. Ny army is and has beer
making forced marches, short Of ration
and barefoot. One corps marched yester
day and last night over thirty miles.
take occasion to repeat that win use N,
utmost effort to push forward this army
Sunday, July II, Mr.. Lincoln spen
much of the day in his room in the Wa
Department and / never knew him to b
80 restless and so much excited as at tina
time. Upon receiving a message iron
General Meade, explaining somewhat il
detail the movements Of bis army and o
the enemy as far as he could ascertslI