All About "Fighting Joe" Hooker
Joseph Hooker was born November 13, 1814 in Massachusetts. Hooker received an appointment to the United States Academy at West Point and graduated in the bottom half of his class in 1837. During his early military years, Hooker saw action in both the Second Seminole War in Florida and the Mexican-American War where he served under General Zachary Taylor. At this time, he attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Hooker was later promoted to the rank of Assistant Adjutant General, and he was assigned to the Pacific Division in California where he served until 1853 when he resigned. Hooker remained in California trying to make a living as a farmer in Sonoma County, but he mostly drank and gambled. Allegations of heavy drinking would follow him throughout his military career. He also served as a Colonel in the California militia during this period. After being a failure as a farmer, Hooker unsuccessfully applied to re-enter the Army in 1858.
When the Civil War broke out, the U.S. Army refused to allow Hooker to reenlist, so he directly appealed to President Lincoln. Hooker was allowed to reenlist and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers in August 1861. He was then assigned to General George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac.
Hooker’s first real action in the Civil War took place in Virginia in the first battle of General McClellan’s Peninsular Campaign at the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862.
It was during this battle that Hooker exhibited his acumen for battlefield leadership. After the battle, a newspaper in the North ran an article titled “Fighting Joe Hooker” – instead of “Fighting – Joe Hooker” which is what the title should have been. “Fighting Joe” immediately became his nickname. However, his nickname was an accident, and Hooker didn’t appreciate the moniker at all.
During the Seven Days Battles that took place between June 25 and July 1, 1862 near Richmond, Hooker continued to distinguish his leadership skills. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Major General of Volunteers, assuming command of a corps of the Army of the Potomac.
Hooker’s corps fought at both the Battle of South Mountain and the Battle of Antietam. Near the end of 1862, he was appointed to be in charge of a Grand Division under Major General Ambrose Burnside – who was promoted after McClellan was removed from command following Antietam.
In December 1862, Hooker led his men during the Battle of Fredericksburg. This was a major defeat for the Union, who suffered more than 12,500 casualties (including two Generals) while the Confederate Army lost just under 5,400 men. After the smoke had cleared from this battle, Hooker was so critical of Burnside’s strategy that President Lincoln removed Burnside from command and appointed Hooker in his place.
By April 1863, Hooker was in command of 115,000 Union troops in the Army of the Potomac. Rumors that he drank while in command continued to haunt him and in May, Hooker’s troops were defeated at the Battle of Chancellorsville by Confederate forces that numbered half the size of his army. Hooker’s indecision to engage General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army was viewed as a major reason for this loss; and caused Hooker to resign his command in June, immediately prior to the Battle of Gettysburg.
Lincoln accepted Hooker’s resignation, and he was assigned to the Western Theater, serving under General William T. Sherman. Hooker and Sherman’s relationship was so strained that Hooker requested to be relieved of his duties under Sherman. President Lincoln obliged, and Hooker was given command of the Northern Department which comprised Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio where he would end up spending the rest of the war.
Hooker was later promoted to the rank of Assistant Adjutant General, and he was assigned to the Pacific Division in California where he served until 1853 when he resigned. Hooker remained in California trying to make a living as a farmer in Sonoma County, but he mostly drank and gambled. Allegations of heavy drinking would follow him throughout his military career. He also served as a Colonel in the California militia during this period. After being a failure as a farmer, Hooker unsuccessfully applied to re-enter the Army in 1858.
When the Civil War broke out, the U.S. Army refused to allow Hooker to reenlist, so he directly appealed to President Lincoln. Hooker was allowed to reenlist and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers in August 1861. He was then assigned to General George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac.
Hooker’s first real action in the Civil War took place in Virginia in the first battle of General McClellan’s Peninsular Campaign at the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, 1862.
It was during this battle that Hooker exhibited his acumen for battlefield leadership. After the battle, a newspaper in the North ran an article titled “Fighting Joe Hooker” – instead of “Fighting – Joe Hooker” which is what the title should have been. “Fighting Joe” immediately became his nickname. However, his nickname was an accident, and Hooker didn’t appreciate the moniker at all.
During the Seven Days Battles that took place between June 25 and July 1, 1862 near Richmond, Hooker continued to distinguish his leadership skills. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Major General of Volunteers, assuming command of a corps of the Army of the Potomac.
Hooker’s corps fought at both the Battle of South Mountain and the Battle of Antietam. Near the end of 1862, he was appointed to be in charge of a Grand Division under Major General Ambrose Burnside – who was promoted after McClellan was removed from command following Antietam.
In December 1862, Hooker led his men during the Battle of Fredericksburg. This was a major defeat for the Union, who suffered more than 12,500 casualties (including two Generals) while the Confederate Army lost just under 5,400 men. After the smoke had cleared from this battle, Hooker was so critical of Burnside’s strategy that President Lincoln removed Burnside from command and appointed Hooker in his place.
By April 1863, Hooker was in command of 115,000 Union troops in the Army of the Potomac. Rumors that he drank while in command continued to haunt him and in May, Hooker’s troops were defeated at the Battle of Chancellorsville by Confederate forces that numbered half the size of his army. Hooker’s indecision to engage General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army was viewed as a major reason for this loss; and caused Hooker to resign his command in June, immediately prior to the Battle of Gettysburg.
Lincoln accepted Hooker’s resignation, and he was assigned to the Western Theater, serving under General William T. Sherman. Hooker and Sherman’s relationship was so strained that Hooker requested to be relieved of his duties under Sherman. President Lincoln obliged, and Hooker was given command of the Northern Department which comprised Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio where he would end up spending the rest of the war.
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