The Military History Thread

Fighting Joe didn't realize how close he was to finishing the job when he got splashed by a shell.

 

Still no excuse for not moving his army out into an open area where his advantage of numbers would be utilized by maneuver.

Regardless of his self promoting and political ambition, Hooker was a good field commander.

 

True, but there's not many places to put an Army across the Rappahannock without begging for disaster. The Wilderness is probably the best place to do it, though he was engaged before he could move out of it

 

Hindsight is 20/20, but I would think given the terrain, a forced breakout would be the standing order to the Corps Commanders.

Hooker had to know that the wilderness would equalize his advantages.

The true tragedy of the entire campaign is the withdrawal and how Couch was made the scapegoat.

 

Another problem is the availability of personal writings and letters from the Union side.

I am not really sure why that is?

 

Couch decided to withdraw the army, despite the Corps commanders input. Not that he should be blamed for Howard's mess, but that the time the Army of the Potomac retreated they weren't in too bad of shape.

 

Hancock should have gotten an early shot at AotP command.

 

Hold on, Couch decided or took a standing order from Hooker?

Couch wanted to break out from the wilderness from the get go and lobbied for Hancock to press forward. Hooker ordered Couch to pull back despite Couch telling Hooker his men could handle it.

I seriously doubt that he would have withdrew if it were his decision.

 

At what point do you think?

I am a huge Couch fan, so naturally I believe he should have been installed at some point.

 

He asked for input after Hooker went down. Everyone wanted to fight but Hooker & Howard. Couch, as acting commander, elected to withdraw north of the Rappahannock

 

Which was the proper decision, no?

If he fought, it would be mutiny, no?

 

Hooker wasn't in a mental state to be giving orders, which is why he turned the Army over to Couch.

 

And a board of inquiry would have done what to Couch?

Hang him out to dry because Hooker, regardless of mental capacity, gave the order to withdrawal?

It is a no win situation for Couch.

 

Well, if he'd have won, then he'd have been fine. Tough situation regardless,

Of course, had Hooker kept the pressure up on 5/1, or of Howard had prepared defenses as instructed, it'd be a moot point.

 

Howard might have been the most consistently bad Corps commander of the war, though he had some bad subordinates as well. His decision making in confronting Ewell on 7/1/63 was almost as horrible as his generalship.

 

Did a bit or reading about Douglas Bader and Adolf Galland today. Interesting pair.

 

Dooley-esque?

 

Dooley = Stephen Augustus Hurlbut, imo.

 

IP, your internet sorcery is impressive.