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A. LincolnBurnside & Hooker |
From the January 27, 1863 issue of the Philadelphia
Inquirer.The news received yesterday that General Burnside had resigned the command of the Army of the Potomac, and that Gen. Hooker had been assigned to that responsible and exalted position, was not altogether unanticipated. More than once had Burnside declined that command when offered him by the President, and more than once, since he has assumed it, has he urgently requested to be relieved. To General Burnside, therefore, there is no discredit to this change; his record is clear, and he stands in as fair a light before the world as he ever did. In his examination before the joint committee of Congress on the Conduct of the War, he distinctly asserted that he did not consider himself competent to command such a large army as that. This frankness was justly set down to the account of his known modesty, so rare in such a crisis as this; and he was appointed to and continued in the command. Indeed from the first there has been so much energy, and industry, and self-sacrificing labor evinced by Burnside, that he has always been a great favorite, and to him many have turned as the very man for the arduous task of reducing Richmond and ending the war. History will be proud, therefore, to give him full credit for what he has done. A graduate of West Point in 1846, and an officer of artillery for some years, he was out of commission when the news came, like an electric shock, that Fort Sumter had fallen. He literally sprang to arms; led a Rhode Island regiment to defence of Washington, and since the day of Bull Run, on which he distinguised himself, he has been employed constantly in the most responsible positions, and has everywhere shown himself an honest and noble man, a devoted patriot, and a skillful General. His campaign in North Carolina was brilliant and decisive, and his valor, skill, and alacrity in large campaigns since, pointed him out for the Chief of the Army of the Potomac when McClellan was relieved. But, after mature deliberation, he has wished to give up this great responsibility, and the Government has acquiesced. General Burnside's farewell order to the army is very manly and full of sensibility, and the General, with his staff, goes on a month's leave to New York, after which, doubtless, there will be new and more congenial work for him to do. General Hooker, who relieves him, is also well known, and although the principal incidents of his life have been frequently made public, we may be permitted to repeat them just now, when he rises before the world as the most responsible Commander of any army now in the field. He graduated at West Point in July, 1837, and was appointed Lieutenant of Artillery. In 1841 he was selected as Adjutant of the Military Academy, which post he left to accept the honor of Regimental Adjutant of the First Artillery. During the campaign of the Rio Grande, he was Aid-de-camp to General Hamer, and was breveted Captain for his gallant services. In 1847 he was appointed an Assistant Adjutant-General, with the rank of Captain. He received a brevet of Major for gallant services at the National Bridge, and of Lieutenant-Colonel for his services at Chepultepec. In 1853 he resigned, and was for some time in California. He, too, offered his services as soon as the war broke out, and has had a brilliant record since. His dashing valor was displayed at Williamsburg and in many of the Peninsular battles. At Antietam he was wouned, and is reported to have said that he would rather have been shot through the head after the battle than through the foot while it was in progress. That he is brave needs no further illustration; that he is self-reliant is equally demonstrable. He suggested to Burnside, on the 21st, to let him cross his whole force at Richard's Ford, and move rapidly down to Saxton's Station -- a brilliant but dangerous movement -- which would have rendered Fredricksburg untenable, but which, owing to prudential considerations, connected with an unexpected rise in the Rappahannock and Rapidan, Burnside would not permit. General Hooker is said to have great popularity with the army, among whom he is sometimes called "Fighting Joe." His rank as commander of one of the Grand Divisions points to him as one among very few proper to be chosen for such a command. His own self-confidence will infuse itself into the men, and although he has a task of acknowledged difficulty to perform he is eager to attempt it. The duty of the press and of every patriot is evident. It is to support the Government by up-holding the General now placed in this important command. In the past he has manifested such high qualities as give earnest of success. All he asks is the chance to do, and that now is given him. A few days of new organization and new plans and General Hooker's campaign will open. We give it God-speed, hoping for the happiest results. When Desaix arrived upon the field of Marengo, the battle was going against the French. "General," said Napoleon, "the battle is lost." "We have time enough," said Desaix, taking out his watch, "to win another. It is only three o'clock." Our recent movements in Virginia have not been successful. We have marched and countermarched; won indecisive victories, or lost equally indecisive battles; but the great gnomon marks yet upon the dial an hour which tells of enough daylight for perfect and final success. Should General Hooker prove himself, as we feel hopeful he will, the new Desaix of this modern Marengo, he will dictate a history and make himself immortal. The labor may be Titanic, but the glory will be commensurate. The report that Sumner and Franklin are to be relieved is doubtless true, as they both probably rank Hooker, and he may be able to work more agreeably with new men. |
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