Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-03

sponsor for the new commander en-
barra ssing. AS a member of the cab1-
net he could freely express his views
with reference to any military question
coming up for ca binet discussion, and
upon any matter introduced to him by
the President he had fair opportunity
of making a desired impression; but
further than this he could not d.
rect1y go without disclosing a personal
interest inconsistent with his place and
duty.
Yet the circumstances connected with
the appointment Of Hooker made 1t i'm
peratively necessary that the influence
Of Mr. Chase should be exerted in re-
spect to matters that could not form
ally come to him for consideration.
although. on the other hand, they could
not safely be intrusted wholly to the
keeping of a suspicious and probably
hostile War Department Fortunately
for the perpleXed statesman. the in
fuence that had proved sovereign when
the balance had hung in suspense be-
tween Hooker and Meade was safely
and wholly at his service, and, being
again resorted to. provided modus
vivendi SO long one was needed. out
of all these anomalies correspond
ence resulted between Mr.. Chase and
Gen. Hooker. the publication OF which
is historically Indispensable to the
saving of the final word on the lead
ing events of Mr.. Lincoln's admins
tratiOn.
When. three months after his ap-
pointment and following the Union de-
feat at Charlottesville. Gen. Hooker
telegraphed to Washington that he had
brought his army back to the north
side of the Rappahannock river, be-
cause he could not find room for 1t to
fight at charlottesville. President L. n
coin grasped Gen. Halleck and started
for the front posthaste. He would
likewise have taken the Secretary OF
War in his anxiety. but for the obvi-
Gus indelicacv of the latter's appear
ance before-Efpoker at such moment
Mr. Lincoln went back to Washington
that night, enioining upon Halleck to
remain till he knew "everything.
Halleck was a keen lawyer. and the
reluctant generals and staff officers had
but poor success in stopping anywhere
short of the whole truth. When he got
back to his post conference of the Presf-
dent and Secretary of War with himself
was held at the War Department, where
at it was concluded that both the check
at Charlottesville and the retreat were
ineXcusable, and that Hooker must not be
intrusted with the conduct of another bat
tie. Halleck had brought message from
Hooker to the effect that as he had never
sought the command, he could resign it
NitHoul ana would
only too happy if, in the new arrange
ment. he could have the command of his
old division and SO keep in active service.
The friends of Mr.. Chase considered
that the fortunes of their leader were
too much bound up With Hooker to per-
NIT of the latterS ignominious removal,
and although the President had learned
much that he did not dream of at the
time he parted company with the War
Department in the matter of appointing
a n RIln side he Trpa
ton had grown powerful that he could
not consent to a rupture with II, and d
temporzins policy was adopted all
around, which Gen. Couch commander of
the I'd Corps, all unconsciously. nearly
spoiled by contemptuously refusing to
serve any longer under Hooker, despite
abject appeal to him by Hooker not
to leave the army.
Gen. Lees invasion of Pennsylvania
undertaken direct result of the battle
of charlottesville. broke up the nearly
intolerable situation, and hooker's dill
gent and skillful management of his
army rapidly brought matters back to
the hopeful state they We're in before the
late battle. But Mir. Stanton was de-
termined that the deliberate decision Of
the council of war. held after Halleck'S
return from the front, should not be set
aside, and he was now the master Of the
situation.