The Washington herald., 1914-07-25

began to sulk. -. He seemed Jealous
or all the army commanders, because in
years, former rank and experience, he
thought he was our superior" Sherman
thought that Gen Hooker's success In
the battle at Lookout Mountain had
turned his head. He said that Gen.
Thomas had previously complained of
Gen Hooker's disposition to ''switcb on
leaving wide gaps in the line. so as TO
be independent and to make glory on
his own account"
According to Gen. Sherman both Nc
Pherson and Schofield had also com
planned Of this tendency of Hooker IN
widen the gap between his own corps
and his proper army CThomasD, so as TO
come into close contact with one or
other Of the wings. asserting that he
was senior by commission 10 both Nc
Pherson and SchOfield, and that in even,
OF battle he should assume command
over them, but virtue of his older com
mission"
Gen. Sherman's knowledge of Hooker,s
feelings led TO the latter's elimination
from the list Of possibilities to succeed
Gen. Mcpherson. His chances were not
even considered.
An Unusual Situation,
At conference between Gems. sher-
man, Thomas. and SchofeId, il finally
was determined to recommend the an
pointment by the President Of Gen. O. o.
Howard to the command. He command
ed the Fourth Corps. under Thomas. and
was considered the best man in the three
armies for the place. He was heartily
in accord with Sherman and the other
commanders, was a thorough soldier. a
brave leader, and one who would obey
orders without question. His subsequent
record in the campaign justified his selec-
ton.
Sherman telegraphed his choice 70
Washington and the matter was placed
before President Lincoln July .. The
President had Just read Sherman's testy
teregram about Osterhaus and Hoyey.
He acceded at once to Gen. Sherman's re-
quest regarding Howard. and on July 2S
appointed Howard 20 McPherson's COM
mand.
No sooner had the news of Howard's
Advancement been published in the
army. than Gen. Hooker rendered his
resignation. He not only believed him
self the victim Of unjust treatment be-
cause he did not get the place. but could
see nothing but an added affront in
Howard's appointment
The situation was an unusual one At
the battle of Chancellorsville, Va, in
May, 1863. where Hooker had been in
command Of the Army Of the Potomac
and had met defeat, Gen Howard and
Gen. Henry W. Slocum had commanded
the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps respec-
lively. Gen. Hooker blamed those two
generals for his defeat
Subsequently Gen. Hooker resigned
from the command of the Army of the
Potomac. When the Eleventh and Twelfth
Corps were sent to Chattanooga in Oc-
tober, 1853 he was given command of
them. Gen. iSlocum protested against
serving again under Gen. Hooker. When
the two corps were consolidated and Gen.
Hooker was placed in command, the
Howard was given command of the
Fourth Corps of McPherson's army. and
Gen. Slocum was sent to take command
of the post OF Vlcksburg. The Twentieth
was the strongest crops in the army.
Now that Gen. Howard was given the
high command which Gen. Hooker be-
lieved he should have, the latter could
view the change only as an injustice to
him. He therefore asked to be relieved |
Of command in an army 4in which rank
and service are ignored" This request
Gen. Thomas forwarded to Gen. Sher-
man with his approval, and the next
day Gen. Hooker was ordered to report
to Washington. His active career thus
ended.
As an additional deliberate slight, Gen. |
Hooker thought, Gen. Slocum was re-
called from Vicksburg and given Hook |
er's old command. As many of the men
In the Twentieth Corps had been of SIo-
GUMS Twelfth Corps, they welcomed his
coming. Gen. D. S. Stanley, commander |
or a division under Gen. Howard, was
advanced to command Of the Fourth |
Corps. .
Tomsrrowr Lieut.. Cushins's Ex-
ploits.