June 19, 1863, The New York Herald
Mr. Simon Cameron, the predecessor of Edwin M. Stanton in the War Department, took occasion the other day at Harrisburg to denounce the present Secretary for his gross mismanagement in general, and his shameful neglect in particular to protect Pennsylvania from invasion. There can be no doubt that in this Mr. Cameron is perfectly right. Mr. Stanton is responsible for the second invasion of the North, as he was for the first, ten months ago. When Hooker retreated across the Rappahannock, after the battle of Chancellorsville, Mr. Stanton came out with a great flourish in a despatch to Governor Curtin, to the effect that Hooker had only employed one-third of his army in the battle; that the army was not at all demoralized or disorganized, and that it would immediately resume the offensive. According, therefore, to the confession of Mr. Stanton, the present general of the Army of the Potomac is utterly unfit for his post; and yet he retains him ever since, to the peril of the republic. A general who, after long preparation, deliberately selects his own ground, boasts that his position is impregnable, then dares the enemy to the combat, and then is routed, after two days’ fighting, without being able to bring into action more than a third of his army, “the best on the planet,” is plainly incompetent to command such an army. Yet Stanton, instead of insisting upon having another general, announces that he will try him over again immediately.
But seven weeks have elapsed since the battle of Chancellorsville, and no attempt has been made to resume hostilities by Hooker; and there is no knowing how long he would have remained on the hills of Falmouth had not Lee taken the initiative, and so massed his troops at Culpepper as to threaten Hooker’s flank and rear. The Union cavalry attack on Lee at Brandy Station was repulsed, and the rebel general went on his way rejoicing, and completely eluded his grasp. Lee was permitted to take with him all his stores, wagons, artillery and material of war, and to turn the flank of the Union army, sending one corps to capture Winchester, Martinsburg and Harper’s Ferry, and to penetrate into Maryland, while under its protection a body of cavalry from Western Virginia, by previous concert, advanced as far as Chambersburg, which was completely at its mercy, and menaced Harrisburg, the capital of the State, throwing Governor Curtin and all the good citizens of Pennsylvania into a state of terror. The Secretary of War, after obtaining one hundred thousand troops from Pennsylvania, tells Governor Curtin that he must defend his own State; whereupon he makes a piteous appeal to the citizens and to New Jersey and New York.
It is therefore the War Department which is at fault in this business. If Mr. Stanton had not enough of troops, why was not the draft carried out long since? But Hooker had more than enough of men; for he only used one-third of them at Chancellorsville and had at least double the number of Lee. He ought never to have recrossed the Rappahannock at all; and after he committed that error it was demonstrated to his own satisfaction, or dissatisfaction, that he was wrong. He could have held his ground and renewed the fight, and, if he had won, the success of Stoneman’s raid, cutting off the retreat of Lee, would have given him Richmond. But why, when he discovered his mistake, did he not cross again and give Lee battle, instead of waiting for six weeks, till Lee puts him on the defensive, and strikes terror into the North by another invasion? Pittsburg, with its vast government foundries, is imperilled, and Wheeling and all Western Virginia will be overrun; and, that accomplished, there will probably be another raid into Ohio. What advantage Lee may yet obtain, with his main body, over Hooker in Eastern Virginia or in the District of Columbia, is now matter of terrible apprehension. What if Washington should fall! Mr. Stanton is responsible. He pledged himself for Hooker’s good behavior. Hooker and Stanton have failed together, and their places ought to be given to better men.