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ML_hooker_bkp.htm
Gen. Joseph T. Hooker
Commander's Battlefield Coolness Belied An Impetuous Nature
By Bethanne Kelly Patrick
Military.com Columnist
When, on Jan. 26, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln named Gen. Joseph T. Hooker as Commander, Army of the Potomac in Gen. Ambrose Burnside's stead, the commander in chief expressed reservations about the appointment. "I have heard ... of your recently saying that both the army and the government needed a dictator," Lincoln had written earlier that month. "Of course it was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have given you the command. Only those generals who gain success can set up dictators. What I now ask of you is military success, and I will risk the dictatorship."
Although "Fighting Joe" Hooker never backed a dictator, his impetuous professional decisions contrasted with his reputation for coolness in battle. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1842, Hooker distinguished himself several times during the Mexican War, notably at the Battle of Monterey and at Vera Cruz. Brevetted three times for gallantry in action, his deeds attracted the attention of his superiors. By war's end, Hooker had served on the staffs of six different generals.
These positions led to an appointment as adjutant general of the Pacific Division, which bored the young artillery officer. He took a leave of absence, then resigned from the Army and became a Sonoma, Calif., rancher. Unfortunately, before that leave of absence, Hooker testified against Gen. Winfield Scott in a court of inquiry -- and Scott never forgot or forgave this. When Civil War broke out, Hooker found himself without position or rank. After watching First Manassas (Battle of Bull Run) as a spectator, he wrote to Lincoln complaining of mismanagement and asking for a commission.
Hooker's commander in chief complied and gave him command of what would forever after be known as "Hooker's Brigade." Despite his hard drinking and questionable morals, Hooker looked after his men well. They repaid that care with valorous fighting around Williamsburg and Seven Pines. After receiving promotion to major general of volunteers and command of a corps, he fought actively at Antietam, where he was wounded in the foot.
After taking command of the Army of the Potomac, Hooker performed badly at the Battle of Chancellorsville. He immediately resigned his commission but was later reinstated and put in command of the 20th Army Corps. Sent to Tennessee, Hooker distinguished himself at Lookout Mountain and might have ended his career on a high note. However, when Howard was given command of the Army of the Tennessee, Hooker, who felt he himself should have received the position, asked to be relieved. Sherman gladly granted his request. |
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