The National tribune., 1908-06-04
GEN. JOSEPH HOOKER.
Gen. He Due Comes to His Defense Wit
Facts Derived From Personal Ac

Gen. He Due Comes to His Defense WIFI
Facts Derived From Personal Ac.
4uaintance.
Editor. National Tribune: In the last
number l have seen you are mistaken
in saving that Gen. Hooker had a bit
ter tongue and eau vic disposition" He
had neither. He often said things ano
made comments on individuals thai
were better left unsaid by one in so dis
tinguished a station, careless words OF
passing thoughts uttered without ex-
pectation of their being repeated. but
never Intentionally malicious. On the
contrary, he had a sympathetic and for
giving disposition as well as keen DIS
cernment of and ready acknowledgment
of the right. In the excitement OF the
receipt of the order Of Mcclellan tC
leave Malvern Hill and retreat to Har-
rison's Landing, received at the farm
house on the brow of the hill known
as the Malvern House, when Gems
Sumner. Hooker and Kearny were. with
Others near together. and Gen. Sumner
the eldest and outranking soldier. was
heard to declare that he would not
obey that order. and impetuous Kearny
declared, by God. this is either treason
or cowardice" Hooker said, THAT won't
do;i that won't do. While l dislike and
regret the order as much as anyone,
recognize the fact that it must be cheer
fully -obeyed. / hope no one Will repeal
what has been said here
In the reorganization of the army
after Burnside's failure, you give more
credit to Gen. Hooker than he would
claim if living. Much of that wonder
full reorganization of "Burnsides mob
was due to Gen. Daniel Butterfield
Rockers Chief of Staff. He was the
best organizer in the army. The corp:
and division badge system and the
granting of short leaves of absence ana
making the granter responsible to his
comrades for his prompt return were
his suggestions. He as well as Hooker
were untiring and ingenious in the worl
of the Transformation of that mob int
the best army that ever wore Govern
ment contract shoes, and marched Il
meet the enemy at Gettysburg. the place
where Hooker said. when satisfied tina
Lee had actually started North with hi:
army. putting his pencil on the map
There or near that place will the grea
battle be fought. Stop him from invad
ing Maryland? No; / would pay hin
oecross the Potomac
When he was denied the use of th'
forces at Harper's Ferry (whoily use
less there) to throw on to Lees rea
and thus weaken and divide him, h'
said, "A man in command of this army
al tzlis time should have command o.
every man that can be used against INT
enemy. If you cannot trust me to u.s.
every man that can be. of use to defea
the enemy. relieve me and put another
in command whom you can trust.
When asked whom he would recon
mend he named Meade. God Almight!
did not intend the war to end then. OF
Hooker would have been left in com
mafia, and Lee and his army woulC
never have crossed the Potomac excep
asFprisoners. Don't be deluded to per
petuate the old lie about Hooker
drunkenness, unless you want hornet
nest opened,on you. Those who SHOULD
know best are those who saw him ever
days and Under the circumstances for
long time, as did the writer among 9th
ers. and who know that such charg
was false. II knew Gen. Hooker init
mateiy during and after the war, an
he was an accomplished gentleman o
mostb agreeable presence and correc
habits of life and manners. more trust
eddy the rank and file than any othe
general officer with whom I had tn
pleasure of serving other than '-old Pa
Thanlas.s+zWm. G. LIE Due, Hastings
Mimi