NEWS OF 150 YEARS AGO
January and February 1863
From The Missouri Democrat, Wednesday, January 28, 1863.
MILITARY CHANGES.
Some of the friends of the Union are inclined to despondency on account of the recent changes in the army of the Potomac. Such may derive a little comfort by looking to the rebel side and seeing what course the Confederacy has pursued. The rebels in the East have changed their military leaders as often as we. First Beauregard held command. He gave place to Jo. Johnson [sic], who was succeeded by Lee. This is equal to Burnside succeeding McClellan and Hooker succeeding Burnside. If we look to the commanders of divisions in the rebel army we will find quite as much mutation as in our own. Stonewall Jackson, Longstreet, and the Hills – although in the service – not one of them held the rank he now holds for a considerable period after the war began.
The Confederates have pursued the policy of changing commanders at any time when the good of the service was likely to be promoted thereby. They have been no way scrupulous about hurting the feelings of officers when a victory was to be attained. Had we followed their example a little more closely in this respect, it might have been better for us. It is certainly to be regretted that the necessity has at any time existed for a change of leaders, but when the necessity has come, it should have been yielded to with cheerful acquiescence. Of General Burnside, we have ever possessed a favorable opinion. He seems, however, to have lacked confidence in himself as the commander of a large army, and confidence in a military commander is indispensable. In the selection of “fighting Jo. Hooker,” we are in inclined to think the right man in the right place has at last been found.