Nickname #18 -- September 16, 2012

Fighting Joe Hooker got his nickname, which he did not relish, because of a character left out of a telegraphic newspaper dispatch during the Peninsula Campaign. "Fighting — Joe Hooker Attacks Rebels" became "Fighting Joe Hooker Attacks Rebels." He was a talented officer who had a reputation for insubordination and drinking. He most likely was not a drinker.

During the Battle of Chickamauga, his corps performed well. Hooker replaced unlucky Ambrose Burnside as commander of the Army of the Potomac. Hooker had big plans, but his nerve failed at Fredericksburg.

In the history books I read as a young person, his removal as commander was almost the end of the story. Once I could dig around on the internet, I learned that he went on to distinguish himself as a corps commander for the rest of the war.

Fighting Joe Hooker always took good care of his men, and was appreciated for it.