GDG- JEB Stuart

[Tom Ryan]

<<You make such a good case for how good of an organizer Hooker was, it is such a shame he gets such a bad rap for his failing at Chancellorsville (although he does rightly deserve it).  But because of that, we do seem to overlook all the good he did to create the army that defeated Lee.  

Although based on his battle at Chancellorsville, I wonder if he would have learned anything for a second fight with Lee, or would Lee be too overconfident (not that he wasn't already) based on their past, which would cause him to act irrationally (not that Pickett's Charge wasn't).  

My biggest "what if" for Gettysburg is not "what if Jackson" had been there, but "what if" Hooker had not been replaced.  I don't think I have ever heard a re-enactor discuss that on LRT ;-)  

But I wonder how that battle would spell out?>>

Hi Andy,

I hear you.  It is interesting to contemplate.  However, I separate Hooker the organizaer from Hooker the commander.  Joe Hooker did one heck of a management job in setting the cavalry organization right, establishing one heck of an intelligence organization, and boosting the morale of the troops through a number of administrative changes.  But it became obvious near the end that Hooker had lost command of himself, and, therefore, could no longer be counted on to command the AoP effectively.

If Lincoln had not replaced Hooker with Meade, I would put my money on a Confederate victory and Union loss at Gettysburg.

Regards, Tom