John Bell Hood
John Bell Hood was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, known for his rapid rise through the military ranks. Graduating in 1853 from the U.S. Military Academy, he joined the Confederate army as a lieutenant in 1861. Hood's leadership skills quickly became evident as he was promoted to brigadier general within a year, and he played significant roles in key battles such as Gaines Mill, Second Bull Run, and Antietam. He was severely wounded at Gettysburg in 1863, losing his left arm, and later lost his right leg at the Battle of Chickamauga. Despite his injuries, Hood was promoted to lieutenant general and took command of the Army of Tennessee, where he engaged in aggressive but costly assaults against Union forces, particularly during the battles of Atlanta. Hood’s campaign in Tennessee ended in disaster at the Battle of Nashville, leading to the dissolution of his army. Ultimately, he was relieved of command in early 1865 and surrendered later that year. Hood's military career is often viewed through the lens of his strategic decisions and the heavy casualties sustained under his command.
On this Page
Subject Terms
John Bell Hood
Armed Forces Personnel
- Born: June 1, 1831
- Birthplace: Owingsville, Kentucky
- Died: August 30, 1879
- Place of death: New Orleans, Louisiana
Full name: John Bell Hood
Born: June 1, 1831; Owingsville, Kentucky
Died: August 30, 1879; New Orleans, Louisiana
Principal war: American Civil War
Principal battles: Antietam (1862), Gettysburg (1863), Chickamauga (1863), Atlanta (1864), Franklin (1864), Nashville (1864)
Military significance: A rash commander, Hood lost Atlanta and the Confederacy’s last chance for independence.
Graduating near the bottom of his 1853 U.S. Military Academy class, John Bell Hood was stationed in Texas when he joined the Confederate army as a lieutenant in 1861 at the outbreak of the American Civil War (1861–1865). His rise was meteoric, with promotion to brigadier general within a year. In 1862, his excellent performance, especially at Gaines Mill, won him division command. Hood led his unit effectively at Second Bull Run and then at South Mountain. At Antietam in 1862, his counterattack in the cornfield helped save the Confederate army.
Hood was severely wounded in the left arm at Gettysburg in 1863. Later that year, elevated to corps command, Hood lost his right leg at Chickamauga. Promoted to lieutenant general in February, 1864, Hood soon took command of the Army of Tennessee, defending Atlanta with the acting rank of full general. His aggressive assaults on William T. Sherman’s army cost the Confederates heavily at the 1864 battles of Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, and Ezra Church.
Hood then marched north into Tennessee where at Franklin, he unwisely attacked entrenched Union troops. Despite terrible losses, Hood then briefly besieged Nashville (1864) until Union troops under George H. Thomas shattered Hood’s force. Its remnants retreated into Georgia; Hood was relieved of command in January, 1865, and surrendered in May.
Bibliography
Coffey, David. John Bell Hood and the Struggle for Atlanta. Abilene, Tex.: McWhiney Foundation Press, McMurry University, 1998.
Hood, John B. Advance and Retreat: Personal Experiences in the United States and Confederate States Armies. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1959.
Houchens, Harry W. The Making of General John B. Hood: A Study of Command. Carlisle Barracks, Pa.: U.S. Army War College, 1993.
McMurry, Richard M. John Bell Hood and the War for Southern Independence. Lexington: University of Kentucky Press, 1982.