Joseph Hooker

"Fighting Joe"
(1814 - 1879)
Home State: Massachusetts
Command Billet: Army Corps Commander
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: First (I) Army Corps

see his Battle Report

Before the Antietam Campaign:
He graduated from the USMA in 1837, served in the Seminole war, was adjutant at West Point, fought in the Mexican war, and resigned his US Army commission in 1853. He was then a farmer and served in the California state militia. In May 1861 he was appointed BGen. of Volunteers, served in the Washington defences, and commanded the 2nd Division/III Corps in the Peninsula campaign, at the Seven Days, and at Second Manassas. In May 1862 he was promoted MGen. of Volunteers.

In the Antietam Campaign:
He was in command of the the Federal First (I) Army Corps and was wounded slightly on the 17th in the morning combat near the Cornfield. He was succeeded in command of the Corps by BGen Meade of his Third Division. After the battle, MGen McClellan sent him the following:

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Sharpsburg, September 20, 1862.

Major General JOSEPH HOOKER,
Commanding Corps:

MY DEAR HOOKER: I have been very sick the last few days, and just able to go where my presence was absolutely necessary, so I could not come to see you and thank you for what you did the other day, and express my intense regret and sympathy for your unfortunate wound. Had you not been wounded when you were, I believe the result of the battle would have been the entire destruction of the rebel army, for I know that, with you at its head, your corps would have kept on until it gained the main road. As a slight expression of what I think you merit. I have requested that the brigadier-general commission rendered vacant by Mansfield's death may be given to you. I will this evening write a private note to the President on the subject, and I am glad to assure you that, so far as I can learn, it is the universal feeling of the army that are the most deserving in it.

With the sincere hope that your health may soon be restored, so that you may again be with us in the field, I am, my dear general, your sincere friend,

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major-General.

The remainder of the War:
He next commanded the Center Grand Division at Fredericksburg, commanded the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville, and was relieved of command at his own request when he didn't receive the reinforcements that he asked for. He commanded XI and XII Corps in the West and led the XX Corps at Lookout Mountain and on the Atlanta campaign. He requested to be relieved when he didn't get the command of the Army of the Tennessee after McPherson's death, and had no more field command.

After the War:
He continued in career Army service retiring in 1868 due to invalidity.

References, Sources, and other notes:
He is said to have restored his reputation (lost at Chancellorsville) somewhat by good leadership at Lookout Mountain and in the Atlanta campaign.

Birth Date: 11/13/1814    Place of Birth: Hadley, MA
College: US Military Academy, West Point, NY    Graduating Year: 1837    Class Rank: 29th
Death Date: 10/31/1879    Death Place: Garden City, NY    Burial Place: Cincinnati, OH

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