Civil War Joseph Hooker takes over the Army of the Potomac,

[Hedgehog]

On this day in 1863, Union General Joseph Hooker assumes command of the Army of the Potomac following Ambrose Burnside's disastrous tenure.

Hooker, a West Point graduate, was a veteran of the Seminole War and the Mexican War, and served in the American West in the 1850s. When the Civil War erupted, Hooker was named brigadier general in the Army of the Potomac. He quickly rose to division commander, and distinguished himself during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862. He also continued to build his reputation as a hard drinker and womanizer. Hooker received command of the First Corps in time for the Second Battle of Bull Run, Virginia, in August 1862. His corps played a major role in the Battle of Antietam in Maryland in September, and when Burnside failed as commander, Hooker had his chance.

The general first had to deal with the sagging morale of the army. He reorganized his command and instituted a badge system, where each division had its own unique insignia. This helped to build unit pride and identity, and Hooker led a re-energized army into Virginia in April 1863. Hooker's appointment was part of President Abraham Lincoln's frustrating process of finding a winning general in the East. After Irwin McDowell, George McClellan, John Pope, McClellan again, and then Burnside, Lincoln hoped Hooker could defeat Confederate General Robert E. Lee. It was a tall order, though, and Hooker was not up to the challenge. In May 1863, Hooker clashed with Lee at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia, and the Union army suffered a decisive and stunning defeat. Lincoln's search for an effective commander continued, and in the summer of 1863 Hooker was replaced with George Meade.

 

[mTk]

Hooker was doing an OK job at the time and had a good chance of success based upon a numerical advantage. His advance took Lee a bit by surprise, but the plan was very complicated. Then, he realized he was facing R.E. Lee and became paranoid as to what Lee might be doing in response to his maneuvers. His paranoia it turns out was justified as Lee pulled off one of the most daring strategic maneuvers of his career.

He split his forces in the face of a larger enemy and sent Gen Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's division on a stealthy march completely around the left flank of Hooker's army. Jackson showed up in the Army of the Potomac's left rear and tore them to pieces....for a while. Unfortunately (for the CSA) the march took so long the attack ground to a halt after night fell on the battlefield. Although Jackson's troops were pretty much done by then as well, given the march and fighting. The Army of the Potomac was saved from likely complete destruction by the narrowest of margins. The victory for Lee, and the Confederacy, was not without a price. An argument can be made that the war was lost that day as Jackson was mortally wounded by friendly fire and died a few days later.

Lee's "right arm" was not available to him at the next battle...Gettysburg. Had he been in command of the II Corps there, instead of Gen Ewell, things may well have been different that first day (but that's another story).

 

[7thcav]

Hooker was doing an OK job at the time and had a good chance of success based upon a numerical advantage. His advance took Lee a bit by surprise, but the plan was very complicated. Then, he realized he was facing R.E. Lee and became paranoid as to what Lee might be doing in response to his maneuvers. His paranoia it turns out was justified as Lee pulled off one of the most daring strategic maneuvers of his career.

He split his forces in the face of a larger enemy and sent Gen Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's division on a stealthy march completely around the left flank of Hooker's army. Jackson showed up in the Army of the Potomac's left rear and tore them to pieces....for a while. Unfortunately (for the CSA) the march took so long the attack ground to a halt after night fell on the battlefield. Although Jackson's troops were pretty much done by then as well, given the march and fighting. The Army of the Potomac was saved from likely complete destruction by the narrowest of margins. The victory for Lee, and the Confederacy, was not without a price. An argument can be made that the war was lost that day as Jackson was mortally wounded by friendly fire and died a few days later.

Lee's "right arm" was not available to him at the next battle...Gettysburg. Had he been in command of the II Corps there, instead of Gen Ewell, things may well have been different that first day (but that's another story).

Now thats a subject that could get deep in a hurry !!! Stonewall Jackson versus Hancock the superb,that would have been one heck of a match up on day one at Gettysburg. One does have to wonder if there would have been a battle at Gettysburg to begin with, Buffords brigades trying to delay a Jackson lead corp ??

 

[mTk]

Well, after Chancellorsville Lee reorganized the ANV so it's impossible to tell where Jackson would have been in relation to the spread out formations. Had he been with the II Corps ( I believe Ewell took command of most of Jacksons men) he'd have arrived from the north, well after Buford's troopers had done their job against the III Corp division of Henry Heth. And what a magnificent job John Buford did that day!