5fish
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2019
- Messages
- 10,626
- Reaction score
- 4,544
As we know one of the big questions coming out of the Battle of Chancellorsville was General Hooker's order on Day One for his units to return to their previous positions after they had made contact an engage Jackson's forces.
It is argued by historians at this moment General Hooker lost his nerve or a character fault was revealed.
It is argue that General Hooker thought Lee would retreat in face of his great flanking move and being caught between Hooker's and Segewicks forces. As we know Lee chose to face Hooker's flanking movement.
A want to note Hooker never fully revealed his plans to his generals just as Jackson used to do. It is noted he was surprised Lee was not in full retreat as Hooker thought he would do.
I also want to note that he had false info that Longstreet forces had return form southern Virginia information offer by two deserters(Lee's spy's). Hooker seem to accept this as truth from two deserters stories.
I say, I do not see as yet a Hooker lossing his nerve or a character fault showing up.
I think Hooker chanced his plan. Why?
Hooker saw he had Lee. Jackson and most likely Longstreet in front of him so he choose to return his forces and dig in. He ordered Sedgwick to march towards him thinking it would either force Lee to attack his dug in forces or retreat.
It is known that the information traveling between Hooker command and Sedgwick's command as bad. Messages took hours to travel between the two commands and many times the newer messages would arrive before the order ones. This time delay and messages arriving out of order kept Sedgwick confused so he was late in moving towards Hooker.
Again, Hooker did not inform anyone of his full plan so no one knows if he chose to change it or not. I again Do not see him falling apart as the leader of the army but I do see an over confident person on Day One of Chancellorsville Battle.
I ask.. where does this loss of nerve or Character fault story comes form. I do know once Jackson's flanking move happen. One could say Hooker acted out of character that was Day two not Day one.
Again, On Day One I believe Hooker changed his plans reacting to what was happening at the time real or presumed. Nothing more then that....
It is argued by historians at this moment General Hooker lost his nerve or a character fault was revealed.
It is argue that General Hooker thought Lee would retreat in face of his great flanking move and being caught between Hooker's and Segewicks forces. As we know Lee chose to face Hooker's flanking movement.
A want to note Hooker never fully revealed his plans to his generals just as Jackson used to do. It is noted he was surprised Lee was not in full retreat as Hooker thought he would do.
I also want to note that he had false info that Longstreet forces had return form southern Virginia information offer by two deserters(Lee's spy's). Hooker seem to accept this as truth from two deserters stories.
I say, I do not see as yet a Hooker lossing his nerve or a character fault showing up.
I think Hooker chanced his plan. Why?
Hooker saw he had Lee. Jackson and most likely Longstreet in front of him so he choose to return his forces and dig in. He ordered Sedgwick to march towards him thinking it would either force Lee to attack his dug in forces or retreat.
It is known that the information traveling between Hooker command and Sedgwick's command as bad. Messages took hours to travel between the two commands and many times the newer messages would arrive before the order ones. This time delay and messages arriving out of order kept Sedgwick confused so he was late in moving towards Hooker.
Again, Hooker did not inform anyone of his full plan so no one knows if he chose to change it or not. I again Do not see him falling apart as the leader of the army but I do see an over confident person on Day One of Chancellorsville Battle.
I ask.. where does this loss of nerve or Character fault story comes form. I do know once Jackson's flanking move happen. One could say Hooker acted out of character that was Day two not Day one.
Again, On Day One I believe Hooker changed his plans reacting to what was happening at the time real or presumed. Nothing more then that....