In January 1863, Abraham Lincoln was determined to improve the fortunes of the Union in its struggle with the secessionist states. Having been dismayed and disappointed by George B McClellan and then by his replacement Ambrose Burnside, he was desperate to find a general who could save the army and thus the Union. He thought he had found the right man for the job in the person of Brigadier General ‘Fighting Joe’ Hooker.
A veteran of the Seminole Wars and the Mexican-American War, Hooker had graduated from West Point in 1837 but resigned his commission when snubbed by US Army commander-in-chief Winfield Scott at the beginning of the war. After witnessing the debacle at the First Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, he had written to Lincoln saying, ‘I am a damned sight better general than you, sir, had on that field.’ It must have had an impact on Lincoln, who promoted him in January 1863 to command the Army of the Potomac. He quickly took over the reorganisation of that force, improving the rations, clothing, shelter, and training of the troops. He began using the cavalry for advanced reconnaissance, and promoted the use of hot-air balloons with telegraphic links as artillery-spotters. All the while, Hooker was working out plans to demolish Robert E Lee’s army and crack the hard nut of Fredericksburg, halfway between Washington and Richmond.
Hooker’s plans were detailed and thorough. He divided the Army of the Potomac into thirds: one wing would stage a diversionary attack against Lee’s entrenchments; a second, under Hooker’s control, would proceed up the Rappahannock River to attack Lee’s flank and rear; while a third would be held in reserve to reinforce either assault at need. It seemed like a good plan. In early spring, Hooker felt assured of victory saying, ‘may God have mercy on General Lee for I will have none’. Considering that Hooker had more than 130,000 effectives versus Lee’s 60,000, he was certainly entitled to his optimistic outlook. But Hooker’s self-confidence was badly flawed, for he had not anticipated Lee’s wily countermeasures.
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