Hood as a replacement for J E.B Stuart?

[major bill]

I am reading "John Bell Hood and the War for Southern Independence" by Richard M. McMurry. In the book McMurry includes that the "Memphis Daily Appeal" on November 4, 1863 ran an article stating that Hood was offered and declined a promoted to Lieutenant General and to take over the command of the cavalry of Army of Northern Virginia. I am not sure this article was accurate.

Was there a move to have replace Hood replace Stuart? This also brings up the question of how well Hood would have performed as commander of Lee's cavalry. I am not certain that having Hood in charge of Lee's cavalry would have greatly helped in the Eastern Theater. Hood not going to the Western Theater would have had a huge impact there.

 

[Florida Rebel]

Why would anyone replace Jeb Stuart? Unless Jeb was offered a corps command of infantry to replace Ewell; a man thoroughly out of place after he was promoted after Jackson's death?

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I suspect it was a newspaper that had their facts wrong or outright made up. It was known to happen way to frequently.

But Hood in command of the ANV's Cavalry Corps? That'd be a lot of dead cavalrymen!

But hey, the Eastern Theater would've had more cavalry charges and they'd be famous. Hollywood would've exploited that history to the max in the 60's.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

For his service at Chickamauga, Longstreet (with the support of Seddon, Davis and Johnston) recommended Hood's promotion to Lieutenant-General to take effect as from September 20, 1863. (The promotion was confirmed by the Confederate Senate in early 1864).

Am unaware of any serious move (or mention) at this time to replace Stuart with Hood, as cavalry leader in Lee's army. Can see no plausible reason why Hood would be offered a high cavalry command during this period, especially one that replaced a successful mounted leader like Stuart. Although Hood did briefly serve effectively as a small cavalry unit commander early in the war, he was untested as a commander of a large body of mounted troops. Also don't think he was physically capable (after his wounds) of withstanding the vigors of an active cavalry combat command.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

But Hood in command of the ANV's Cavalry Corps? That'd be a lot of dead cavalrymen!

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Jamieva]

I have never heard that and with the difficulty he had in the saddle after losing his leg the thought of him being a cavalry commander is preposterous. No idea who fed the newspaper that.

 

[major bill]

I take it an agressive Hood would have used the ANV cavalry in 1864 to attack the Union at every opportunity. I am less sure Hood would provide as much intelligence as Stuart.

We can not be certain how effective these attacks by Hood would have been. By 1864 the ANV cavalry may not have had the strength to engage in one attack after another. Is is possible that Hood would have worn down the ANV cavalry to little advantage.

 

[Rusk County Avengers]

I have never heard that and with the difficulty he had in the saddle after losing his leg the thought of him being a cavalry commander is preposterous. No idea who fed the newspaper that.

They could've just made it up.

Seriously, I get a kick out of reading CW-era newspapers North and South just for the amazing number of unfounded rumors and outright lies.

 

[Jamieva]

They could've just made it up.

Seriously, I get a kick out of reading CW-era newspapers North and South just for the amazing number of unfounded rumors and outright lies.

Oh totally agree maybe someone at the paper had a real liking for hood or didn't like Stuart.

 

[major bill]

Why would they promote Hood to Lieutenant General and give him Stuart's command when Stuart was never promoted to Lieutenant General?