John B. Hood

John Bell Hood (1831-1879) was a Confederate General during the American Civil War (1861-65). The West Point-trained Hood was known for his aggressive and bold actions early in the war, including success in the Peninsula Campaign, the Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) and Antietam. Severely wounded at Gettysburg and Chickamauga, Hood returned to action, serving in the 1864 Atlanta Campaign. In July, Hood replaced Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, and at age 33, became the youngest officer on either side of war to command an army. Hood launched a series of disatrous offensives against the Union Army, and in September 1864 he was forced to evacuate the city to Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman's forces. Hood failed to defeat Union forces in the subsequent Franklin-Nashville Campaign, during which his Army of Tennessee was rendered nearly useless.

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Did You Know?

John Bell Hood was severely wounded during the Battle of Gettysburg, losing the use of his left arm for the rest of his life. After returning to action at the Battle of Chickamauga, he was wounded again, this time resulting in the amputation of his right leg.

John Bell Hood (born June 1, 1831, Owingsville, Ky., U.S.—died Aug. 30, 1879, New Orleans) was a Confederate officer known as a fighting general during the American Civil War, whose vigorous defense of Atlanta failed to stem the advance of Gen. William T. Sherman's superior Federal forces through Georgia in late 1864.

A graduate of West Point who served in the U.S. Cavalry until the outbreak of hostilities, Hood rapidly rose to the rank of colonel in the Confederate Army. He was seriously wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863), where he commanded an assault on the Federal left at Round Top, and lost a leg at the Battle of Chickamauga (September).

In the spring of 1864, Hood was appointed a lieutenant general under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston to help defend Atlanta against Sherman's forces. Johnston's continual withdrawals impelled Confederate president Jefferson Davis to transfer the command in July to Hood, whom he considered more aggressive. In a vain effort to save Atlanta, Hood promptly attacked but was forced back into the city, which he held for five weeks. He then led his men on a long march north and west, intending to strike Sherman's rear. This plan was thwarted, however, when he was confronted by the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. George H. Thomas, which had moved back to check him. Two battles ensued in Tennessee—Franklin (November) and Nashville (December)—both decisive defeats for Hood, whose retreating army was pursued by Thomas and virtually destroyed. His command ended at his own request the following month. He spent his retirement years in New Orleans in business and in writing his memoirs.

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Classroom Study Guides

  • Sherman's March (PDF)

    Teacher's guide to General William Tecumseh Sherman's military campaign. In 1864 General Sherman began his "March to the Sea," burning crops, confiscating supplies, destroying buildings and ripping up the rail tracks on his way.