June 29, 1863, The New York Herald
IMPORTANT MILITARY CHANGE.
General Hooker Relieved and General Meade Appointed to the Command of the Army of the Potomac.
WASHINGTON, June 28 – 10:20 P.M.
The following is from your special correspondent, dated Frederick, June 28:–
General Hooker was this morning relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac. General Meade succeeds him. General Hooker is relieved at his own request.
General Hooker leaves this afternoon for Baltimore.
It is reported that the rebels are in occupation of York and Hanover Junction, on the Northern Central Railroad. Lee headquarters were yesterday at Hagerstown. Longstreet’s corps crossed yesterday at Williamsport.
Everything is working well with us.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, June 28, 1863.
This morning Colonel Hardie arrived here by special train from Washington, as a bearer of despatches, relieving General Hooker from the command of the Army of the Potomac, and appointing General Meade commanding the Fifth corps, his successor. Soon after the reception of the orders at headquarters, General Hooker issued the following address: –
FAREWELL ADDRESS OF GENERAL HOOKER.
GENERAL ORDER – NO. 65.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
FREDERICK, Md., June 28, 1863.
In conformity with the orders of the War Department, dated June 27, 1863, I relinquish the command of the Army of the Potomac. It is transferred to Major General George G. Meade, a brave and accomplished officer, who has nobly earned the confidence and esteem of the army on many a well fought field. Impressed with the belief that my usefulness as the commander of the Army of the Potomac is impaired, I part from it, yet not without the deepest emotion. The sorrow of parting with the comrades of so many battles is relieved by the conviction that the courage and devotion of this army will never cease nor fail; that it will yield to my successor, as it has to me a willing and hearty support. With the earnest prayer that the triumph of its arms may bring successes worthy of it and the nation, I bid it farewell.
JOSEPH HOOKER, Major General
S. F. BARSTOW, Acting Adjutant General.
ADDRESS OF GENERAL MEADE ON TAKING COMMAND OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
This order was followed by the subjoined address from General Meade: –
GENERAL ORDER – NO. 66.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
June 28, 1863.
By direction of the President of the United States, I hereby assume command of the Army of the Potomac. As a soldier, in obeying this order, an order totally unexpected and unsolicited, I have no promises or pledges to make. The country looks to this army to relieve it from the devastation and disgrace of a hostile invasion. Whatever fatigues and sacrifices we may be called upon to undergo, let us have in view constantly the magnitude of the interests involved, and let each man determine to do his duty, leaving to an all controlling Providence the decision of the contest. It is with just diffidence that I relieve in the command of this army an eminent and accomplished soldier, whose name must ever appear conspicuous in the history of its achievements; but I rely upon the hearty support of my companions in arms to assist me in the discharge of the duties of the important trust which has been confided to me.
GEORGE G. MEADE,
Major General Commanding
S. F. BARSTOW, Assistant Adjutant General.
Nothing could have exceeded the surprise occasioned by this announcement. The first rumors of the change were scarcely credited and it was not until the appearance of the farewell address of General Hooker that the report was generally believed.
The reasons for the change of commanders are yet unknown; it is believed, and indeed indicated in the brief remarks of General Hooker to his staff, that he had applied to General Halleck to be relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac. We are yet in the dark, however, so far as the knowledge of General Hooker’s reasons for making such an application are concerned, and can only await the development of events from headquarters.
The report of the change soon extended to the several corps, and their commanders hastened to bid farewell to the General. By three o’clock a large number of officers had assembled, and soon after General Hooker appeared in the avenue before his tent. Some time was spend to social intercourse, and to the last all formalities were dispensed with. The parting was painful to everyone, particularly to those who had become endeared to the General by old associations; and not a few felt their eyes moisten as they took the parting hand.
General Hooker was deeply grieved. He had been identified with the Army of the Potomac, he said, since its organization, and had hoped to continue with it to the end. It was the best army of the country, worthy of the confidence of the nation, and could not fail of success in the approaching struggle. He spoke of his successor as a glorious soldier, and urged all to give him their earnest support.
At the conclusion of the leave taking the more prominent officers lingered at the general’s tent, and spent the evening in reviewing the pleasant reminiscences of the past, and the plans for the future campaign.
General Hooker leaves tomorrow for Baltimore, to which place he has been ordered to report. His personal staff, including General Butterfield, will accompany him. The officers of the several Departments at Headquarters, will doubtless remain.
General Meade was totally surprised by the order appointing him Commander of the Army of the Potomac, and deeply felt the weight of responsibility resting upon him. His appointment gives universal satisfaction, and all express a determination to extend their heartiest co-operation.
Affairs on the Upper Potomac are reported quiet. The enemy has but a small force south of Hagerstown, and our forces remain in the undisturbed possession of South mountain.
A rebel cavalry force is reported to have crossed the Potomac below Edwards’ Ferry, and captured a train of one hundred and fifty wagons. Captain Harry Page, assistant quartermaster at headquarters, had charge of the train, and is probably a prisoner. The mail wagon, with mails from headquarters, had left for Washington, but received timely information of the raid and returned.
This morning one of the wagons in the ammunition train blew up, but fortunately without doing any damage to the rest of the train.
General Pleasanton has been appointed major general, and placed in command of the cavalry forces.
General Stahel is ordered to report for duty with another command in Pennsylvania.
All quiet.