Hooker crossed" the Potomac near Edwards's Ferry, and advanced to Frederick; himself visiting by the way Harper's Ferry. He found there -or rather, on Maryland HeightsGen. French, with 11,000 men, whom he, very naturally, desired to add to his army in the momentous battle now impending. For his army, after being strengthened by 15,000 men spared him from the defenses of Washington, and 2,100 by Gen. Schenck from the Middle Department, was barely 100,000 strong; while Lee's, carefully counted by two Union men independently, as it marched through Hagerstown, numbered 91,000 infantry, with 280 guns, and 6,000 cavalry; while not less than 5,000 of its cavalry, under Stuart, crossed the Potomac below Edwards's Ferry, and so advanced into Pennsylvania without passing through Hagerstown. Considering that the Rebels had mustered the best as well as the largest army they ever sent into the contest, and that its triumph on a Northern field would almost certainly incite a Northern uprising in their favor, it was imperative that they should now be met by the heroic but luckless Army of the Potomac in such force as to place the issue beyond contingency. It was a high crime to withhold even a brigade, when a brigade more or less might decide the fate of a continent. Hooker had already drawn from the garrison at Washington all that Halleck would spare-leaving but 11,000 effectives under Heintzelman; which was none too much. But, having crossed the Potomac, he had very properly inquired by telegraph of Halleck, "Is there any reason why 21 June 26. "Maryland Heights have always been regarded as an important point to be held by us, and much expense and labor incurred in fortifying them. I can not approve of their abandonment, except in case of absolute necessity." Surely, the translator of Jomini can find no parallel for such strategy in the whole military career of the great Napoleon. Hooker at once rejoined: "I have received your telegram in regard to Harper's Ferry. I find 10,000 men here, in condition to take the field. Here, they are of no earthly account. They can not defend a ford of the river; and, so far as Harper's Ferry is concerned, there is nothing of it. As for the fortifications, the work of the troops, they remain when the troops are withdrawn. No enemy will ever take possession of them for them. This is my opinion. All the public property could marched to where they could have been of have been secured to-night, and the troops some service. Now, they are but a bait for the Rebels, should they return. I beg that this may be presented to the Secretary of War, and his Excellency, the President. "JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General." In regard to this grave matter of difference, Hooker was clearly in the right: not clearly so in sending this dispatch immediately afterward: "SANDY HOOK, June 27, 1853. "Maj.-Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in Chief: "My original instructions require me to cover Harper's Ferry and Washington. I have now imposed upon me, in addition, an enemy in my front of more than my numbers. I beg to be understood, respectfully but firmly, that I am unable to comply with this condition, with the means at my disposal, and earnestly request that I may at once be relieved from the position I occupy. "JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General." Halleck had never regarded Hooker as the proper commander of this army; had prevented his selection as McClellan's immediate successor; June 27, 10 A. M. 22 HOOKER RELIEVED-MEADE IN COMMAND. 375 had reluctantly assented to his desig-ed by Halleck for visiting the capital nation after Burnside's collapse; had without leave, and in violation of the been strengthened in his conviction rule which forbade officers to do so. of Hooker's unfitness by the Chan- Thus ended his service with the cellorsville failure; and now, very Army of the Potomac. naturally, improved his opportunity. The next day brought Col. Hardie to Hooker's headquarters at Frederick, with instructions relieving Hooker and devolving the command on Gen. Meade; who was therewith advised that he might do as he pleased with the Harper's Ferry men; while Couch and his militia, estimated at 20,000 men, were placed under his orders. Gen. Hooker at once took leave of the army, with whose fortunes he had been so long and so honorably identified, in the following characteristic order: 66 66 'FREDERICK, Md., June 28, 1863. } "In conformity with the orders of the War Department, dated June 27th, 1863, I relinquish the command of the Army of the Potomac. It is transferred to Maj.-Gen. George G. Meade, a brave and accomplished officer, who has nobly earned the confidence and esteem of the army on many a wellfought 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 emotions. 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 this army may bring successes worthy of it and the nation, I bid it farewell. "JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General." Bidding a cordial but hurried farewell to his general and staff officers, Gen. Hooker left at once for Baltimore; being instructed to await there further orders from the AdjutantGeneral's office. Three days bringing none, he went over to Washington; where he was forthwith arrest Gen. Meade, astounded by his promotion, announced to the army his acceptance of the command in these sincere, fit, modest words: “HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THEEP, TOMA", } 28, 1863. 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 "By direction of the President of the invasion. fices we may be called upon to undergo, Whatever fatigues and sacrilet 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." Such a change of commanders, for no more urgent reasons, on the very brink of a great battle, has few parallels in history. Whatever his faults,' Hooker was loved and trusted by his soldiers, who knew less of Meade, and had less faith in him. Had that army been polled, it would have voted to fight the impending battle under Hooker without the aid of French's 11,000 men, rather than under Meade with that rëenforcement. But it was inured ere this to being astonished oftener than delighted, and to moving firmly onward in the path of duty, even when that path was not irradiated by the sun- | levy of money on a defenseless place, shine of Hope. And now its heart was swelling with joyful trust that the enemy it had so long confronted was soon to be met in mortal strife where every circumstance of position and local knowledge would not tell in that adversary's favor. Lee's army had for a few days traversed south-eastern Pennsylvania at will, burning railroad and turnpike bridges, breaking up tracks, severing telegraph wires, &c., &c., as was to be expected, and levying contributions on the country, though rendering a very general obedience to Lee's order," exhorting and enjoining his men to abstain from all wanton destruction or of damage to private property. Col. White, with his cavalry advance, had reached the Susquehanna at Wrightsville;" where a bridge over the river was needlessly burned to prevent a crossing. Gen. Ewell that day occupied York, whose Burgess (David Small) went out several miles to meet him and surrender the borough, which was promised special immunity in consideration thereof; but was, immediately upon its occupation, required" to furnish, in addition to liberal supplies of food and clothing, $100,000 in cash, whereof $28,000 was actually raised and paid over, with a good portion of the creature comforts likewise required. If this "Dated Chambersburg, June 27. 24 June 28. 26 "Required for the use of Early's division: "One hundred and sixty-five barrels of flour, or 28,000 pounds baked bread; 3,500 pounds sugar; 1,650 pounds coffee; 300 gallons molasses; 1,200 pounds salt; 32,000 pounds fresh beef, or 21,000 pounds bacon or pork. "The above articles to be delivered at the market-house on Main street, at 4 o'clock, P. M. "WM. W. THORNTON, Captain and A. C. S." which had in all things evinced a meek and quiet spirit, is justifiable by the laws of war, it is difficult to see how the unsupported charges of rapacity and extortion leveled against Gen. Butler's rule in truculent and venomous New Orleans can be plausibly condemned or complained of. J. E. B. Stuart, with a considerable proportion of the Rebel cavalry, was watching on our left flank when Hooker crossed the Potomac, and crossed himself" at Seneca soon afterward; moving up on our right so far as Westminster; burning 17 canal boats, also a train of 178 army wagons, laden with army stores, and picking up quite a number of our officers who were hastening to join their regiments at the front. From Westminster, he made his way across our front to Carlisle, which he found evacuated; and, hastening thence on the track of Longstreet's infantry, was in season for the fray at GETTYSBURG ; whereon Lee, on hearing that Hooker was across the Potomac in force, had hastened to concentrate his whole army. Hooker was preparing, when superseded, to strike heavily at Lee's line of communications, which would of course compel him to concentrate and fight; Meade changed the direction of certain corps, moving more to "Required for the use of Early's command: "Two thousand pairs shoes or boots; 1,000 pairs socks; 1,000 felt hats; $100,000 in money. C. E. SNODGRASS, "Major and Chief Q. M. Early's division. "June 28, 1863." "Approved; and the authorities of the town of York will furnish the above articles and the money required; for which certificates will be given. J. A. EARLY, Maj.-Gen. Commanding." 26 June 28. OPENING AT GETTYSBURG-REYNOLDS KILLED. 377 the right, as if his intended point of concentration were Gettysburg also. But, in fact, foreseeing that Lee must give battle, he had issued a timely address to his officers," and was moving circumspectly east of north, looking for advantageous ground whereon to fight, and had about fixed on the line of Pipe creek, some 15 miles south-east of Gettysburg, when an unexpected encounter precipitated the grand collision. Gettysburg, the capital of Adams county, is a rural village of 3,000 inhabitants, the focus of a well-cultivated upland region. Though long settled and blessed with excellent country roads, all centering on the borough, much of it is too rugged for cultivation; hence, it is covered with wood. The village is in a valley, or rather on the northern slope of a hill; with a college and other edifices on the opposite hill, which rises directly from the little run at its foot. Part of our cavalry advance, under Gen. Kilpatrick, pushed out from Frederick," moving north-west through Liberty and Taneytown to Hanover, Pa., where they were considerably astonished" by an attack from Stuart's cavalry-not imagining that there was any enemy within a march of them. A sharp fight ensued, wherein Gen. G. F. Farnsworth's brigade was at first roughly handled, losing 100 men; but Gen. Custer's, which had passed, returned to its aid, and the enemy was beaten off. A similar dash was simultaneously made on the train of another column of our cavalry at Littlestown, but easily repulsed. Meantime, Gen. Buford, with another division, had moved directly upon Gettysburg; where he encountered" the van of the Rebel army, under Gen. Heth, of Hill's corps, and drove it back on the division, by whom our troopers were repelled in their turn. And now the advance division of Gen. Reynolds's (1st) corps, under command of Gen. J. S. Wadsworth, approaching from Emmitsburg, quickened its pace at the familiar sound of volleys, and, rushing through the village, drove back the Rebel van, seizing and occupying the ridge that overlooks the place from the north-west. Gen. John F. Reynolds, formerly of the Pennsylvania Reserves, was in command of the two corps (1st and 11th) now rapidly coming up, together numbering about 22,000 men. As Gen. Wadsworth was forming his advance division, 4,000 strong, in order of battle, Gen. Reynolds went forward to reconnoiter, and, seeing that the enemy were in force in a grove just ahead, he dismounted and was observing them through a fence, when he was struck in the neck by a sharp-shooter's bullet, and, falling on his face, was dead in a few minutes. Born in Lancaster, in 1820; entering the army in 1846; he had * "HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THR, OTOMAC, at our success would give to every soldier of this "June 30, 1863. army. Homes, firesides, and domestic altars, are • "The commanding general requests that, pre-involved. The army has fought well heretofore; vious to the engagement soon expected with the it is believed that it will fight more desperately enemy, corps and all other commanding officers and bravely than ever, if it is addressed in fitting will address their troops, explaining to them terms. Corps and other commanders are authorbriefly the immense issues involved in the strug- ized to order the instant death of any soldier gle. The enemy are on our soil; the whole who fails in his duty this hour. country now looks anxiously to this army to deliver it from the presence of the foe; our failure to do so will leave us no such welcome as the swelling of millions of hearts with pride and joy By command of Maj.-Gen. MEADE: 28 June 28. 30 July 1. served his country in Mexico, in California, and in nearly every important action yet fought in Virginia; returning to fall in defense of the soil of his native State, and almost in sight of his home. Gen. Abner Doubleday came up half an hour afterward, and assumed command; but the residue of the corps, with the whole of the 11th, did not arrive till nearly two hours later; meantime, the Rebels, under Hill, were too strong, and pushed back Wadsworth's division, eagerly pursuing it. As Wadsworth fell back with his left, and Archer pressed forward on his heels, the right of our division swung around on the rear of the pursuers, enveloping the Rebel advance, and making prisoners of Archer and 800 of his men. Doubleday fell back to Seminary ridge, just west of the village where he was joined by the residue of his corps; the 11th coming up almost simultaneously and taking post on his right; Howard ranking Doubleday and assuming command, assigning the 11th corps to Schurz. Here the struggle was renewed with spirit; our men having the better position, and the best of the fight; until, about 1 P. M., Ewell's corps, marching from York under orders to concentrate on Gettysburg, came rapidly into the battle-Rhodes's division assailing the 11th corps in front, while Early's struck hard on its right flank. Of course, being greatly outnumbered, the 11th was soon routed, falling back in disorder on Gettysburg, and compelling the 1st, which had hitherto fully held its own, to do likewise-the two divisions, under a heavy Rebel fire, commingling and obstructing each other |