Joseph Hooker
Title
Joseph Hooker
Description
General Joseph Hooker commanded the Union Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. Though he served throughout the war, reaching the rank of Major General, he is most remembered for suffering a major defeat at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Away from the battlefront, General Hooker's division sometimes encamped on the National Mall. After the war, the area near the present day Federal Triangle was referred to as "Hooker's Division," a double-entendre referencing his troops' encampment and rampant prostitution in the neighborhood.
Creator
Source
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. View original image.
Coverage
First Name
Joseph
Last Name
Hooker
Birth Date
11/13/1814
Birthplace
Hadley, Massachusetts
Death Date
10/31/1879
Occupation
Biographical Text
Joseph Hooker was a career military officer and a veteran of the Mexican-American War. At the start of the American Civil War, Hooker was appointed brigadier general and commanded a division of the Army of the Potomac in Washington, DC. During 1862, he served in both the Peninsular Campaign and at the battle of Antietam, where he was wounded.
In early 1863, Hooker was appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac. His army suffered a major defeat at the battle of Chancellorsville, and Hooker resigned his command.
Hooker was transferred to the Western Theater, where he enjoyed success at the battles of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, and Atlanta. He retired from the army in 1868 at the rank of Major General.
In early 1863, Hooker was appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac. His army suffered a major defeat at the battle of Chancellorsville, and Hooker resigned his command.
Hooker was transferred to the Western Theater, where he enjoyed success at the battles of Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, and Atlanta. He retired from the army in 1868 at the rank of Major General.