July 1, 1863, The New York Herald
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, June 28, 1863.
We were visited here yesterday by Major General Hooker, accompanied by Brigadier General Warren. The object of the commanding general’s ride from Poolesville, Monocacy, Frederick, or somewhere thereabouts, was to inquire into the propriety of evacuating the heights. He sent for Colonel Reynolds, our able engineer, and asked him what the object was in holding the heights? The Colonel replied that he had often asked the same question and never got a satisfactory answer. General Hooker then issued an order that the place should be evacuated by seven o’clock next morning. That such guns as could not be taken away should be destroyed and the stores removed. Immediately after he informed General Halleck of what he had done, whereupon he received a despatch in reply countermanding the order, and saying that the fortifications had cost too much to be given up, unless under the most urgent necessity. He considered Harper’s Ferry to be the key to the present and future operations of the Army of the Potomac. General Hooker’s comment upon this was natural enough, “What is the use in holding on to the key after the door is smashed?” Another order of General Hooker’s was treated with the same want of respect by General Halleck. General Hooker felt terribly mortified. While on his way back from here, after a visit of a couple of hours, he received an order from Washington removing him from the command, and placing Major General Meade in his stead.
THE NEW COMMANDER OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
Major General Meade, now at the head of the Army of the Potomac, was, at the outbreak, of the rebellion, engaged in the Topographical corps, employed on the survey of the Northern lakes. He was anxious to be employed in active service, and, it is understood, sought to be placed in command of one of the Michigan volunteer regiments. At this time the military appointments were controlled by Governor Blair, influenced mainly by Senator Chandler, of that State. Captain Meade was represented to have been of Virginia parentage. He was a quiet, unobtrusive, studious gentleman, and was altogether unacceptable to such partisans as Blair and Chandler. Consequently for some months he was kept from active employment and confined to the office of the Lake Survey in Detroit. Subsequently he was placed by the President in command of a brigade of volunteers. He is a highly cultivated man, of refined manners and intellectual tastes. But for his conduct in actual service there might have been a question as to his administrative capacity. This has been tried. He has proved himself a most gallant and efficient officer in the field. Those who know him best have the most confidence in him.