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John Bell Hood Facts

John Bell Hood Facts
John Bell Hood was a Confederate general during the American Civil War who in many ways epitomized the rough and tough nature many today associate with officers who fought in the Civil War. Know for his fearlessness, Hood sustained numerous battlefield injuries, one of which resulted in the amputation of his right leg. There was a fine line between Hood's bravery and recklessness, which eventually cost him command of the Army of Tennessee. Hood was born in June 1831 to John Wills and Theodosia Hood in Owingsville, Kentucky. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1853. Because of his relatively young age when the war began, he didn't marry until after it was over in 1868 when he wed Louisiana native Anna Marie Hennen in 1868. Although the couple were only married just over ten years before John died, they would have eleven children.
Interesting John Bell Hood Facts:
Although he didn't fight in the Mexican-American War like many of the other officers on both sides of the Civil War, he served in Texas as a lieutenant during the 1850s against the Comanches, which is where he suffered his first battlefield wound - an arrow wound to his hand.
Because Kentucky stayed in the Union, Hood entered the Confederate Army as a cavalry captain with the state of Texas.
In March 1862, Hood was promoted to brigadier general of the Texas Brigade, leading the unit in the Peninsula Campaign from March to July 1862.
Although known for his bravery, he was also reckless, which Union general William T. Sherman used against him in the later stages of the Civil War.
On July 2, 1863, Hood was wounded by an artillery shell at the Battle of Gettysburg, which left his left arm severely damaged.
Hood led a brave charge that helped carry the day for the Confederates at the Battle of Chickamauga, but was wounded and nearly killed on September 20, 1863: he had to have his right leg amputated as a result.
After distinguishing himself at Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and in other battles, Hood was promoted to the rank of full general and commander of the Army of Tennessee on July 18, 1864.
When he became commander of the Army of Tennessee, Hood was only thirty-three-years-old, which made him the youngest commander on either side of the Civil War.
After losing Atlanta to the Union forces on July 22, 1864, Hood retreated to Tennessee where he attacked Nashville in a frontal assault on December 15-16, 1864, which ultimately destroyed the Army of Tennessee
Hood was relieved of his command on January 23, 1865.
After the war, Hood worked as a cotton broker in New Orleans, which is where he met his wife
Hood died of yellow fever on August 30, 1879 at the age of forty-eight in New Orleans, Louisiana: his wife also died, leaving their children orphaned.
The United States Army base, Fort Hood, in Killeen, Texas, is named for John Hood.


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