Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-10-16

Ing Iu6 OlNll " d.
ed from the field and the departed but
unbrOken enemy begun withdrawal I'M
der cover of a magnificent rear-guard,
when Meade became the target OF Sc
we're condemnation for permitting
Lees army to escape. Meade was not
surprised nor yet driven to sacrifice
the fruits of victory already garnered.
He had seen all the other command
ers, in turn. rise and fall under the
lash of criticism and we'll knew that
the same populace which in republics
delights in hero worship, turns like
wild beasts to tear down its idols at
the first failure to overcome impossible
obstacles.
The president had grown weary OF
trying to find a commander who could
satisfy the insistent demands Of those
about him. At the very hour when
the veterans of the Army Of Northern
Virginia we're withdrawing in face Of
the insistent and stubborn foe, the
star of Ulysses S. Grant, which had
shone resplendent and then been dim
med almost to eclipse, phoenix-like
arose again over the bluffs Of Vicks-
burg and doomed Meade to pass the
succeeding years of strife upon the
bloody fields of Virginia as second in
command.
Great Men Neglected.
When the modest rewards vouch-
safed by the republic to its great COM
manders were distributed, the grand
old Rock of Chickamauga," and
Meade, who placed upon the colors OF
the Army of Northerns Virginia the
name of Gettysburg to typify their
first disaster, found themselves over
looked and heartbroken. Meade had
been somewhat prepared for his treat
ment by an occurrence following the
assassination of President Lincoln.
Gen. Grant having decided to take
station in Washington, found 1t nee
essary to dispose Of Gen. Halleck and
created Virginia into the Military Dr.
vision of the James, and assigned Hal
leck to the command. Gen. Meade re-
corded his views in family letters, now
made public, in this language:
Il am at present very much de-
moralized by recent order which
places me and my army under the
command of Gen. HalleCk, who has
been transferred from Washington to
Richmond. In order to make Gen. Hal
lecks removal from Washington &C
ceptable to him and appear necessary
to the public, the services OF myself
and army are ignored, and this indlg-
nifty put upon US, and this by Grant,
who wrote the letter he did last win
ter, and who processes the Warmest
friendship. All this entire nous.
Meade Blamed Grant.
This is the most cruel and humilt-
ttiag indignity that has been put upon
me. tit is Gen. Grant work and done
by him win tu!I knowledge Of my
services anu the consideration due to
them, all of winch have been ignored
by him to suit his convenience The
order is d perfectly legitimate one,
and one to which, as a soldier, | nave
no right 70 make any objection. Gen.
HdlIeCk being my senior in the regular
army. | understand, however, the
whole affair. After the assassination
of the president, Gen. Grant, who had
previously determined to return here,
made UP his nina to remain III WASH
ingtOn. He wished to ind place Tor
HaIleck. His first order assigned Hal
leCk to the command Of the Depart
ment OF Virginia, in OrdS place, send
ing ord to South Carolina | presume
Halleck demurred at this, as a posi-
ten not equal TO what he was entitled
to. At HaIIeckS remOnstranCe and to
render something acceptable, an order
was issued making the Military llVl,
sion of the James, and putting both
Ord and myself under him.
Would Have demonstrated.
Il feel quote confident that, II
had been in Washington and my re-
could have been heard,
either would have frustrated this plan,
or have been provided for in some
way more consistent with my last serE-
ices, but les absens ont tOujours was
fully illustrated in this instance, and
there is nothing left me but the sub
mission which good soldier should
always show to the legitimate orders
Of his superiOrs. |, however, now give
up Grant,
The Army of the Potomac had exist,
od for four years. lacking two months.
NT,oIo had - 81,