Hardee

[MikeyB]

For those who've studied him, was he a poor, mediocre or great general? Given his resume, was he one of these "on paper" should be great guys, but disappointed in the field? Or did he live up to his reputation?

 

[James N.]

I believe he enjoyed a somewhat inflated reputation, no doubt due to his fame as the author (more like translator from the French, really) of the celebrated Hardee's Tactics. He certainly performed better at his first battle of the war - Shiloh - than did his fellow corps commanders Polk and Breckinridge, but that's not saying very much since they were basically civilians in uniform. Afterward he seems to have performed competently but scarcely outstandingly. His one actual battlefield command at Jonesboro was an unmitigated disaster, though likely more for Hood's faulty reading of the situation and lack of resources than any shortcoming of Hardee's.

 

[ErnieMac]

Hardee seems to have recognized his own limitations when he declined an offer to command the Army of Tennessee.

 

[Sheltowee]

Did well at Murfreesboro. I think he was a solid player- no rockstar.

Wonder how good he could have been, if not distracted by his feud with Bragg.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Hardee was an able and capable Corps commander. He also had the respect of most of his subordinate officers.

In December, 1863, he temporarily commanded the Army of Tennessee, but declined (at the time) the offer of permanent command. His constant disputes (1862 and onwards) with Bragg, the disagreements he witnessed between senior commanders, as well as political influences observed, probably all contributed to disincentivize him and make him unwilling to accept the extra responsibilities (and pressures) of Army leadership. Leadership responsibilities, though, certainly did not deter him from maintaining continuing active Corps commands throughout the war.

By mid-1864, Hardee was again considered by Richmond for Army command. He was the senior Corps commander, with plenty of high command experience. However Bragg's personal animosity towards Bragg, as well as Hood undermining him behind the scenes, worked against Davis making any decision to appoint Hardee to the role of Army head. It is not known for certain, however, whether Hardee would have accepted any such offer made to him in these particular circumstances at this later time. Instead, Bragg and Davis chose someone they considered would be a more aggressive Army commander, by appointing the relatively inexperienced (in senior command) junior Corps commander, Hood.

Hardee was angered by Hood's appointment, and after Jonesboro (Aug. 31/Sep. 1, 1864), he became appalled by Hood's reckless assaults and high casualty rates. He requested, and was granted, a transfer to lead inadequate forces in Georgia, then went north to command a Corps in the Carolinas campaign.

It does not necessarily follow that because Hardee declined (not rejected) permanent command of the Army that his abilities as a Corps commander were diminished, or indeed that he would not have accepted Army command later, if the role was offered again in different circumstances. In my view, he was one of the Confederacy's best continuing Corps commanders – astute, solid and reliable. Army high leadership perhaps did not suit him.

 

[major bill]

He seemed to be a solid general, probably above average. One should not judge him against the very best generals, but compare him with the average generals of his rank.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Would agree with the view that Hardee was more solid, than spectacular or outstanding (like some others). But that's all that was needed from any one of the Army's Corps commanders in the field. (In other words, he was effective enough - not every Corps commander needed to perform brilliantly, for the Army to function satisfactorily in the field).

Hardee was an experienced Corps commander, leading a Corps for almost the entire period of the war. Unfortunately, he was often encumbered by his frequent disputes with Bragg.

 

[jackt62]

Hardee seems to have recognized his own limitations when he declined an offer to command the Army of Tennessee.

Declining army command seemed to be a not uncommon occurrence. Thomas and Reynolds also declined offers and Burnside and Meade would have declined their commands but were not given a choice.