John bell hood quotes
Early Life
John Bell Hood was born on June 1 or June 29, , at Owingsville, Kentucky. Hoods parents were Dr. John W. Hood and Theodosia French Hood. Although Hoods father wanted his son to pursue a medical career, the military achievements of his grandfathers enamored Hood.
Gen john bell hood biography civil war Richard M. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. January 9, Retrieved January 09, from Encyclopedia. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list.U.S. Military Academy Cadet
Hoods uncle, U.S. Representative, Richard French, obtained an appointment for Hood at the United States Military Academy in Hood graduated from the academy in , despite receiving demerits during his senior year, just four short of expulsion. After graduating from West Point, Hood served in California and Texas.
Civil War
Eastern Theater
Hood resigned his U.S. Army commission on April 16, , after the Battle of Fort Sumter (April , ) touched off the American Civil War. When Hoods native state of Kentucky did not secede from the Union, Hood joined the Confederate Army as a captain in Texas.
John bell hood John Bell Hood holds the distinction of being one of the most rapidly promoted leaders in the Confederate military forces during the Civil War. Born in Owingsville, Kentucky in , he pursued a military career early on, graduating from West Point at the age of When war officially began in April, Hood was unwilling to either continue to serve in the United States army, or to maintain the neutrality of his native Kentucky. He decided instead to resign his commission in the US military and became a Confederate Cavalry Captain. He was soon promoted to Colonel, commanding the Texas 4th Infantry.On February 20, , Hood became commander of Hoods Texas Brigade, and Confederate army officials promoted him to brigadier general on March 3.
Hoods performance at the Seven Days Battles (June July 1, ), defending the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia, led to his promotion to division commander, serving under Major General James Longstreet.
During the Second Battle of Bull Run (August 28–30, ), Longstreet had Hood arrested and ordered him to leave the army after Hood engaged in an argument with a superior officer. General Robert E. Lee later intervened and restored Hoods command.
Gen john bell hood biography civil war wikipedia
John Bell Hood was a U. A graduate of West Point, Hood joined the Confederacy in and gained a reputation as a talented field commander during the Peninsula Campaign and the Second Battle of Bull Run in Hood served as a division commander at the Battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg, and lost a leg and the use of one of his arms after being severely wounded at the Battles of Gettysburg and Chickamauga in Promoted to full general in , Hood served in independent command over the Army of Tennessee during the Atlanta Campaign. His aggressive tactics ultimately proved futile against William T.Hoods outstanding performance at the Battle of Antietam (September 17, ) led to his promotion to major general on October 10, At the Battle of Gettysburg, on July 2, , Hood lost the use of his left arm for the rest of his life from an artillery shell explosion.
Western Theater
Hood returned to action on September 18, , in the Western Theater, along with Longstreets command.
At the Battle of Chickamauga (September 19–20, ), Hood led the assault that resulted in the defeat of Major General William S. Rosecrans Union Army of the Cumberland. During the battle, Hood received severe wounds and doctors had to amputate his right leg just below the hip. Hoods courageous leadership at Chickamauga led to his promotion to lieutenant general on February 1,
On July 18, , Confederate President Jefferson Davis promoted Hood to the temporary rank of full general.
Davis also named Hood to replace General Joseph E. Johnston as commander of the Army of Tennessee.
Although the Confederate Senate never approved Davis actions, Hoods temporary promotion made him the youngest officer to achieve the rank of full general during the Civil War.
Like Johnston, Hood could not halt Major General William T. Shermans advance on Atlanta. He tried to end Shermans siege of the city with four attacks, all of which failed and resulted in major Confederate casualties.
After Sherman captured Atlanta, Hood tried unsuccessfully to prevent him from advancing on Savannah, Georgia by starting an offensive campaign in Tennessee, but Sherman did not take the bait.
Hood attempted several offensive actions in Tennessee toward the end of the Civil War and suffered a devastating defeat at Franklin on November 30, With the Army of Tennessee shattered and retreating into Mississippi, Hood resigned his command on January 23, , reverting to his permanent rank of lieutenant general.
As the war was concluding, Hood surrendered to Union forces in Natchez Mississippi on May 31,
Post-war Life
After the Civil War, Hood took up residence in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he operated a cotton brokerage and an insurance company. In , Hood married Anna Marie Hennen and fathered 11 children. An outbreak of yellow fever in ruined Hoods insurance company financially and left him impoverished.
Gen john bell hood biography civil war photos After serving in California and Texas for the United States Military, he resigned his commission in April of to join the Confederacy as a cavalry captain. From there, he was soon promoted to colonel of the Texas 4th Infantry. Thereafter he distinguished himself on a dozen fields, beginning in the Peninsula Campaign and at Second Manassas. At the Battle of Gaines' Mill on June 27, he distinguished himself by leading his brigade in a charge that broke the Union line - arguably the most successful Confederate performance in the Seven Days Battles. While Hood escaped the battle without an injury, every officer in his brigade was killed or wounded.As the epidemic waned, Hood and his wife contracted the disease.
Death
John Bell Hood died of yellow fever on August 30, , just days after his wife succumbed to the same disease. Hood was buried in Lafayette Cemetery in New Orleans. Later, his body was moved to the Hennen family tomb at Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans.