June 27, 1863 (Saturday): Hooker Releived

General George Meade

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
June 27, 1863
GENERAL-IN-CHIEF AND WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington:
    General Hooker personally has just left here for Harper's Ferry, where he will be about 11 o'clock, Point of Rocks about 10 a. m., and at Frederick to-night. Copies of all dispatches should be sent to Frederick and Harper's Ferry up to 11 a. m., and after that to Frederick. The staff are just leaving here for Frederick.


     DANL. BUTTERFIELD,
     Major-General, Chief of Staff.

WASHINGTON, D. C., June 27, 1863-10. 30 a. m.
General HOOKER,
Army of the Potomac:
    Major [James C.] Duane and Captain [George H.] Mendell were ordered to your army, and it is presumed that they are en route. I do not know where they now are, unless in your army. 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 cannot approve their abandonment, except in case of absolute necessity.


     H. W. HALLECK,
     General-in-Chief.


SANDY HOOK, June 27, 1863
(Received 2. 55 p. m.)
Major-General HALLECK,
General-in-Chief:
    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 cannot defend a ford of the river, and, as 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 As for the fortifications, the work of the troops, they remain when the troops are withdrawn.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 have been secured to-night, and the troops marched to where they could have been of 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.


SANDY HOOK, June 27, 1863-1 p. m.
(Received 3 p. m.)
Major General 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 number. 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,
 

WASHINGTON, D. C.,
June 27, 1863-8 p. m.
Major-General HOOKER,
Army of the Potomac:
Your application to be relieved from your present command is received. As you were appointed to this command by the President, I have no power to relieve you. Your dispatch has been duly referred for Executive action.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.


HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, D. C., June 27, 1863.
Major General GEORGE G. MEADE,
Army of the Potomac:
    GENERAL: You will receive with this the order of the President placing you in command of the Army of the Potomac. Considering the circumstances, no one ever received a more important command; and I cannot doubt that you will fully justify the confidence which the Government has reposed in you. You will not be hampered by any minute instructions from these headquarters. Your army is free to act as you may deem proper under the circumstances as they arise. You will, however, keep in view the important fact that the Army of the Potomac is the covering army of Washington as well as the army of operation against the invading forces of the rebels. You will, therefore, maneuver and fight in such a manner as to cover the capital and also Baltimore, as far as circumstances will admit. Should General Lee move upon either of these places, it is expected that you will either anticipate him or arrive with him so as to give him battle. All forces within the sphere of your operations will be held subject to your orders. Harper's Ferry and its garrison are under your direct orders. You are authorized to remove from command, and to send from your army, any officer or other person you may deem proper, and to appoint to command as you may deem expedient. In fine, general, you are intrusted with all the power and authority which the President, the Secretary of War, or the General-in-Chief can confer on you, and you may rely upon our full support. You will keep me fully informed of all your movements, and the positions of your own troops and those of the enemy, so far as known. I shall always be ready to advise and assist you to the utmost of my ability. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


    H. W. HALLECK,
    General-in-Chief.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 27, Part 1, Pages 59-61.

Hooker went to Harper's Ferry to determine whether to withdraw the force there.  In the meantime he was ordered to defend Maryland Heights.  This took 10,000 men (of questionable value to begin with) away from him while still requiring him to leave sufficient force to cover Washington and Baltimore.  Believing his forces too much divided with Lee on the move, Hooker asked to be relieved.  It appears, from contemporary testimony, Lincoln had already decided in the morning to replace him.  Thus the Army of the Potomac changed commanders within within a week of the Battle of Gettysburg.