Joseph Hooker to George A. Mocall, December 7, 1862

Brig. Gen. GEORGE A. MOCALL, Washington, D. C.:

Your letters of the 11th, 13th, and 19th of November,t with inclosures,.

were duly received, as also that of the 2d instant,t and if Ihave delayed making my acknowledgment I assure you it has been from no want of respect to yourself, or desire on my part to remove from your mind

*That of July 15, p. 110. t Not found, but see McCall’s report, No. 154.

\ as early as possible any unfavorable impression you may have entertained respecting the accuracy of my official report of the battle of Glendale.

From the perusal of your letter of the 13th ultimo, the impression left on my mind was that you did not look for answer until the ” opportunity to ascertain from General Meade, and others of your division, the particulars of this hard-fought field” had been presented me, since which time my official engagements have more than ever before

absorbed my attention. I only regret that I could not relieve your mind earlier, and that you have not furnished me with more evidence that I had been unkind or unjust in that part of my report which relates to your command at Glendale, for I had already assured you that it was my conviction that you had been “completely routed” on that field—not so much from the reports which were made me by the officers of your command, as you seem to convey in your letter of the 13th, as from my own personal observation. These only helped to confirm me in the opinion I had previously formed, from the falling back not of “stragglers” or the parts or whole of “one or two” regiments, but, E Should judge, of the bulk of your command, in a flying, demoralized condition.

The objectionable part of my report appears to be that which alleges that your division was completely routed, and yet I will venture to assert that neither General Reynolds, Meade, or Seymour will ever say that such was not the fact. Reynolds, since the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo, has assured me that such was the case. Ihave had no opportunity to converse with Meade and Seymour on the subject, but do not doubt that if that specific question is put to either of them they will reply in the affirmative.

In the extract from Meade’s letter furnished me he seems to dwell on the fact “that if the whole division had run through my lines our army would have been destroyed.” I certainly nowhere in my report declared that they did, for of these that fled to the rear but an inconsiderable portion crossed my line; a much greater proportion made their escape through the field occupied by Sumner. Generals Sumner and Sedgwick are good authority on that subject, for they had as good an opportunity to witness it as myself.

The letter of Captain Clark is no less irrelevant to the point at issue, which is not that your men did not behave well, but that they were “completely routed.” In announcing that fact I did not impeach their conduct, for of that I had not the same opportunity to know. Troops can be whipped, I take it, and still preserve their honor. The same remark is applicable to extracts from letters of other officers of your division. They all seem to mistake the point at issue. To arrive at the fact it would be much more conclusive and satisfactory to inquire of each whether or not your division was ” completely routed” on that field. Generals Kearny, Berry, and Robinson informed me that such was the fact, on the extreme right. The two latter are now living and can testify for themselves. If any further doubt is felt on this point it would be well to refer to the record of the court of inquiry on young Randol,,commanding battery.

But of this—the testimony of my whole division—that of Sedgwick’s and Kearny’s—no matter. I assure you, general, that it is no agreeable task for me to accumulate proof to the prejudice of any companion in arms, and I have only written the above to satisfy you that I have not been unjust or untrue in my report of this battle. The crossing of my lines by your men filled me with apprehension—the approach of the rebels none. Justice and duty required that it should be placed on

116 j THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN, V. A. [Cuar. XXIIL

record at my hands, and from that consideration only I made mention of your command. This record must stand as it is, because it is true of yours and it is just of mine. I shall never refer to it again except in vindication of what I have stated. Very truly, your friend, JOSEPH HOOKER, Major-General, Commanding.

Hpars. HOOKER’s DIVISION, THIRD ARMY CORPS, Camp near Harrisons Landing, James River, Va., July 18, 1862.

CaprTaIn: After withdrawing from Glendale our march was continued to the Malvern Hills without interruption, and about 10 o’clock a.m. my division was established in line of battle for the defense of our new position. Under a heavy fire of the enemy’s artillery Grover’s brigade was strongly posted on the right, Carr’s on his left, and well sheltered. Subsequently Sickles’ brigade, held in reserve, was posted in rear of my right, protected from the enemy’s shots, and well in hand to re-enforce any part of my lines. Osborn’s and Beam’s batteries occupied higher ground, where they could reply to the enemy’s artillery, or open upon his columns of infantry should he attempt to advance. Webber’s and Bramhall’s batteries were located in rear of these, and held in reserve.

During the remaining part of the forenoon a brisk fire was kept up between the artillery, principally on the part of the enemy, without any decided effect, as far as could be discovered, on either side, the distance being about 1,500 yards. I regret, however, to state that it was in this artillery skirmishing that the gallant chief of the Fourth New Jersey Regiment [Second New Jersey Battery], Captain Beam, fell from a shell which pierced his body. About 3 o’clock this firing was resumed with more activity in the direction of Kearny’s left. This exposed the rebel batteries to an enfilading fire from my position, a direct one from Kearny, and a diagonal one from several other batteries, which soon resulted in driving the rebel gunners from their pieces. Prior to this a heavy column of infantry had been seen passing to my right, which disappeared behind the forests in my front, and were not heard from again that afternoon. On the left an attack was made in great force, and the battle lasted until long after dark.

About half an hour before sunset orders were sent me by General Sumner* to dispatch a brigade of my command to the assistance of General Porter, and immediately General Sickles’ brigade moved to that point.

For a full account of the important services it rendered on the left I respectfully call the attention of the major-general commanding the corps to the report of its chief, herewith inclosed. I will especially invite his attention to that part of the report which relates to the brilliant conduct of Colonel Taylor’s regiment, the Seventy-second New York Volunteers. The loss sustained by that regiment is the truest index of its services.

The First and Third Brigades were not engaged during the day, and remained in their position until near morning, when orders were received to march in the direction of Harrison’s Landing.

*Sent by my orders.—S. P. H.

I transmit herewith the reports of brigade, regimental, and battery

I desire to make honorable mention of Capt. John S. Godfrey, the assistant quartermaster of the division, for his zealous, faithful, and meritorious services in the performance of all of his duties from the commencement of the campaign.

As no official list has been furnished the major-general commanding the corps of the losses sustained by the division I have the honor to command since the 1st day of June last, I herewith forward it.* The number, as will be seen, is 847, making the aggregate of my loss in battle since the opening of the campaign in the Peninsula 2,589.

And in this connection I may be permitted to add, in justice and fidelity to the living and the dead, that the brave officers and men whose honor and welfare were confided to my care have uniformly slept on the field on which they have fought; that in all their encounters with the enemy, whether involving the whole force of the division or down to an affair between the pickets, they have inflicted heavier blows than they have received, and under all their toils, hardships, and privations have evinced a cheerfulness, obedience, fortitude, and heroism which will never fail to command the gratitude, reverence, and admiration of their chief.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,