General John Bell Hood Killed!

[richard]

In the heat of the battle at Franklin, it is reported that AOT Commanding General John Bell Hood has been killed.
His name is added to the other Generals and general officers killed or wounded. Who then takes command and what does he do? Retreat back to Alabama or march on to Nashville?

[ole]

The corps commander with seniority would assume command pending official appointment from Richmond. I don't see any of the three moving against Nashville in their condition upon finding that the Yanks have left.

Two Confederate Corps had been severely mutilated by two Union Corps. The Confederates had one "fresh" corps, but Thomas had several more than that. Prudence would dictate fighting another day.

However, with the AotC virtually untouched, the AoT could never feel completely safe, but a better prepared army could have been transferred to NC, assuming most of them didn't scatter to their homes in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.

Ole

[larry_cockerham]

Originally Posted by ole

The corps commander with seniority would assume command pending official appointment from Richmond. I don't see any of the three moving against Nashville in their condition upon finding that the Yanks have left.

Two Confederate Corps had been severely mutilated by two Union Corps. The Confederates had one "fresh" corps, but Thomas had several more than that. Prudence would dictate fighting another day.

However, with the AotC virtually untouched, the AoT could never feel completely safe, but a better prepared army could have been transferred to NC, assuming most of them didn't scatter to their homes in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.

Ole

I suspect Stephen D. Lee or Cleburne would have gone on to Nashville just as they were headed when Hood decided to attack the ditch at Franklin. Forrest would have remained with his cavalry. By the way, a large number of the men at Franklin (several regiments) hailed from Florida, not to mention 2 regiments from Virginia and North Carolina.

[EricJacobson]

I'll bet you nickels to dimes S. D. Lee would have gone straight to Nashville as well. He and Hood disagreed about very little during the Tennessee Campaign, even after it was over. But that being said, A. P. Stewart would likely have taken command of the army and may have tried something a bit different.

[trice]

Originally Posted by EricJacobson

I'll bet you nickels to dimes S. D. Lee would have gone straight to Nashville as well. He and Hood disagreed about very little during the Tennessee Campaign, even after it was over. But that being said, A. P. Stewart would likely have taken command of the army and may have tried something a bit different.

I am far from an S. D. Lee fan. His style of head-butting assault on stone walls was evident throughout 1864, and resulted in turning men into mincemeat consistently without any compensating advantage.

That said, S. D. Lee and A. P. Stewart both dated their rank as a Lt. General from 23 June 1864 (S. D. Lee's was eventually cancelled in 1865, but was still in effect at Franklin). Cheatham made Major General 10 March 1862 but never advanced to Lt. General.

I am not sure which one (S. D. Lee or Stewart) would have actually taken command at Franklin if Hood had been killed/disabled in the battle. At some point in the campaign, after Franklin I think, there was some discussion around HQ of having the chief medical officer declare Hood unfit, but nothing came of it. I am unable to recall who would have assumed command in that event.

Regards,
Tim

[samgrant]

Just as a sidebar, Hood was not killed.

He settled down and married and produced 11 children within 10 years (if that can be called 'settling down').


(11 little 'Lost Causers'? Was that his legacy?)

[larry_cockerham]

Sam, that's not bad shootin' for a man who was only married eleven years! 1868-1879 (not to mention on one leg with a bad arm)