May 16, 1863, The New York Herald
The Correspondence of L.A. Hendricks.
FIFTH ARMY CORPS, IN CAMP,
NEAR FALMOUTH, Va., May 10, 1863.
THE STAY-OUT-OF-THE-FIGHT CHAPLAINS.
This is Sunday; but it looks very little like it in this far away, strange, busy camp life. An occasional chaplain, it is true, busies himself an hour in the middle of the day, in exhortation and prayer and song; but he talks and prays and sings to thin; unimpressed and skeptical audiences. And why? Chaplains talk of the good fight; but rarely one is to be seen anywhere near a real fight – a fact that deprives them wholly of influence. Out of the thirty-six regiments in this corps, most of whom have chaplains, I saw but two present at the recent fight.
A BUSY DAY, AND WHY.
Enough of chaplains. What makes the day an unusually busy one in this corps is mustering the various regiments for two months’ pay due the first of this month, special inspections, and issues of clothing and knapsacks to the men, preliminary to having everything in readiness for speedy resumption of offensive operations. But it is quiet compared with last Sunday. Then the air was filled with the roar of terrible cannon, and there was terrific carnage, and many a young and brave soldier fell, his heart pierced with the unseen shot, and by that fall soon to pierce loving hearts at home with the direst pangs of war. Another week, and the same dreadful drama of murderous massacre may be re-enacted. Such is war.
COMMENTS UPON THE RECENT MOVEMENT and their culmination in our coming back to our old quarters continue to be made with like fiery vehemence and surprising indignation as on our first arrival here. No one can furnish adequate reasons for the withdrawal of our troops from the position they held. The reticence of General Hooker on the subject, who fails to show a like alacrity at issuing orders on our arrival on this side, only deepens the mystery. Learning the brilliant exploits of General Stoneman, believing that the enemy commenced running away before the order of withdrawal was communicated to our men, and conscious, from all the facts since developed, that we had the enemy in a tighter place than he ever was before; that it lay in our power to punish him beyond the possible power of resuscitation; that we might have marched victoriously to Richmond and given the crushing blow to the rebellion – can it be wondered that the army is at a loss to comprehend our coming back here; that officers and men should freely express their surprise and indignation; that doubts should be uttered against the wisdom of the war powers at Washington and the military capacity of General Hooker is to command an army of the magnitude of the Army of the Potomac; that there should be clamorings for a new administration and a new commanding general?
THE FALLING BACK – WHY WAS IT?
One of the reasons alleged for our coming back is that the river was rapidly rising in our rear. The rain commenced on Tuesday afternoon, and I am informed authoritatively that the order for the wagon trains to cross back was given on Monday, and that the pioneer corps was ordered at the same time to prepare for the coming back of the army. As much if not more in sorrow than anger do our soldiers speak of the failure of Gen. Hooker. Strongly confident in his ability to meet and cope with the enemy, they marched to battle under his leadership; they knew and worshipped him for his soldierly qualities; they saw him in the thickest of every fight, fearless of shot and shell; they believed they were about to be victorious, when the order to return came, dashing hope and confidence to the earth. It is possible that General Hooker report – for which all are anxiously looking – may clear away the present clouds of doubt and show that the failure now assigned to him is to be ascribed to others. Nothing would please the army more than to have their confidence in “Fighting Joe” reassured. With all the clamorings against him, he has the staunchest advocates. It is asserted that he and General Meade resisted to the last recrossing the river, and that the order emanated from Washington. Meanwhile, I can only more confidently reiterate here what I have written in my more recent letters, that the returning of our army to its present position has not been attended with any demoralizing effect. This army will march as willingly to battle to-morrow as two weeks ago, and fight as valiantly.
THE TWO YEARS AND NINE MONTHS REGIMENTS attached to this corps are leaving as fast as time expires. Four regiments have already gone home, and as many more will leave during the present week. The following farewell address was read at evening dress parade to- day to the regiments of the Second brigade, General Griffindivision. It is self explanatory: –
ACTING GENERAL MCQUADE’S FAREWELL TO HIS BRIGADE.
HEADQUARTERS, SECOND BRIGADE,
FIRST DIVISION, FIFTH CORPS, May 9, 1863.
The term of service of my own regiment being about to expire, I hereby relinquish the command of this brigade to Colonel J. B. Sweitzer, Sixty- second Pennsylvania Volunteers.
My official and personal relations with the command have been so entirely harmonious and satisfactory, that I cannot but regret the severance of a connection fraught with such pleasant memories. I can never be sufficiently grateful for the uniform courtesy and kindly forbearance of the officers, and for the zealous and intelligent co-operation to which I am indebted for whatever success has attended my command. The courage, discipline and cheerful obedience of the men are beyond praise.
The history of the brigade has been most brilliant, and I am confident that its future career will add still brighter lustre to the glorious record of the past.
In bidding farewell to the officers and men of the brigade, I feel that I am parting with dear friends; for I have experienced so many cordial manifestations of favor and affection that I must believe that my administration of the command has proved acceptable to them. I shall never cease to hold my associates of the past two years in cherished remembrance, and it will always be my proud boast that I once commanded the Second brigade.
JAMES MCQUADE, Colonel Fourteenth, N. Y. V.
The Fourteenth regiment will leave on Wednesday for home.
COLONEL BURBANK RELIEVED – OTHER COMMANDERS.
Colonel Hannibal Day to-day relieved Colonel Burbank in the command of the Second brigade of General Sykes’ division, the former being the ranking officer, and has just arrived from recruiting service in the East. Colonel Burbank, as also General Barnes, of the First brigade, First division, was a classmate at West Point of Generals R. E. Lee and Joe Johnston.
General Griffin left to-day for Washington on sick leave.
A splendid horse and equipments have just been presented to Colonel Guiney, of the Ninth Massachusetts regiment, by the officers of his command.