General Joseph: Fighting Joe Hooker's Leadership

The leadership of General Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker
General Hooker graduated from West Point. General Hooker’s military career was a bit sporadic; he served during the Mexican War, then resigned and moved to California to be a farmer. General Hooker later regretted this decision and attempted to return to service, which took several attempts. General Hooker had a leadership style and personality that was egotistically driven and quarrelsome with peers and superiors. General Hooker got the nickname “Fighting” Joe Hooker after Northern Press newspaper article with a headline that was misprinted. The article, referring to General Hooker’s participation during the Battle of Williamsburg, was intended to read “Fighting – Joe Hooker” but when printed it read …show more content…
After the Peninsula Campaign, General Hooker gained a reputation as a reliable combat commander and aggressive leader. General Hooker spearheaded the Union assault at the Battle of Antietam, which ended in a stalemate. During the devastating Union defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg, General Hooker’s units sustained heavy casualties. General Hooker recognized the futility of the Union’s effort to assault the Confederate forces that were firmly entrenched and repeatedly repelled the Union’s assaults. After the defeat at Fredericksburg, General Hooker was so critical of the leadership that the commanding officer General Burnside wanted to relieve him of command. President Lincoln and the Union so desperately needed a victory that Lincoln actually relieved General Burnside, who was commander of the Army of the Potomac. General Hooker took command of the Army of the Potomac, which was demoralized and in disarray. General Hooker was beloved by his men for his morale-boosting improvements. General Hooker improved the food to include soft bread in the soldier’s food rations, medical care, leave and pay. When General Hooker took over command