Hood Explains Gettysburg | Eyewitness Account/Official Report

In 1875, General James Longstreet reached out to General John Bell Hood to get his account of what happened at Gettysburg. This video details the letter that Hood wrote to Longstreet.
#JohnBellHood #Gettysburg #CivilWar
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[@tackyman2011]

I just visited Gettysburg. The experience was....profound.

[@ragimundvonwallat8961]

its pivotal moment in american history, the war that bringed the USA from a demonic-masonic loose federation to a full on satanico-bolshevik unified country in full service of the j...

[@bobknob5819]

Been there three times. Simply not enough.

[@Tigershark-qy2gq]

I've visited there and about 100 other battlefields. I'm Canadian, but I have lots of family that fought, and some that die for the North. So seeing some of those places is in the blood. I am so proud America has kept many of these places as monuments and state parks. The heroes that lost their lives and were horrible wounded at them deserve such honor and respect.

[@HUNTERCOPELR]

Hits you in the chest standing where men fought and died..... I just stood their teared up and prayed.... I had relatives fall at Gettysburg and many who thanks be to the lord out lived the war with just a few bruises and a couple bullet wounds... thanks to god for allowing my confederate and union relatives to live on that I may be born.... 🥲

[@aliveinhistory7521]

@@ragimundvonwallat8961 j...?

[@davidkiser5206]

I believe John Bell Hood's memory is correct. My experience as a combat Marine Infantryman in Vietnam, 1968/69 there are certain things I have a hard time remembering, but in key battles that I participated in I remember them as though they happened last week.

[@jmfa57]

David, God bless you for serving in the war that took the life of my cousin Aldon and destroyed, and later claimed, the life of my brother Jerry. Welcome home, Marine, this is one countryman who is grateful for your service.

[@pat0311]

I agree with you sir. Was with 3/7 the same time you were in country. Glad you made it back to The World.

[@alanaadams7440]

Thank you for your service

[@lllordllloyd]

Faulty memory is not really the issue to consider: it is the natural tendency to postwar arse-covering.

[@Heywood.Jablome]

😂😂😂

[@davidryley4162]

I need to say it. As someone British, who is interested in the American civil war. Thank you YOU TUBE. These short films are priceless. Fantastic viewing.

[@jspee1965]

Shelby Foote smiles upon you Sir. Well done..

[@jojokabo78]

wonderful sentiment..was just thinking of him. Kudos

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you both so much for the support and kind words. Please check out my other videos.

[@diatomaceousexudate42]

@@wardfrancesphd2142 Mr. Foote is a drinker? That's interesting, for I just tore into his first volume of... well, you know.

[@surveyore7]

@@wardfrancesphd2142 Not a 'necessary' response. But then, given your 'degree' in Ph 'DISTRACTION' I suppose it couldn't be helped. try to 'contribute' something 'positive' or just stare at your 'love me wall' eh?

[@andygossard4293]

He talks about Lee going in buttoned to the collar w weather in the high 90s, and with his spectacular failure, no wonder his heart troubles began there.

[@michaelwills1926]

Hood likely remembered every blade of grass on the field.

[@ttiwkram]

Wow! That's a damning but respectfully written "I told you so."

[@brettstuart6887]

Longstreet had actually agreed with Hood and wanted to attack from the rear. It was Lee they could not convince.

[@brettstuart6887]

John Harris I am aware it was 19th century. Are you aware that the day prior the assault on Culp’s hill did not begin until 8 pm? It stays light until very late in July. And you are concerned with hood moving around to the rear of the union left in full view. Instead what they did was advance from the front in full view. Makes a lot of sense. I’m not saying Hood/Longstreets plan would have worked but I am saying it had more of a chance than what actually transpired.

[@brettstuart6887]

@John Harris This comment is off topic. I am not gushing about what a great general Longstreet was. I merely said he was correct in this one instance.

[@brettstuart6887]

@John Harris yes I have been to Gettysburg although I don't see how that matters to this discussion. I don't agree with your statement that it would take 5 hours to attack around the left of the union line. It could have been done in much less time. Even the 3pm to 8 pm time frame is not correct. If the attack were begun when first conceived there would have been ample time to carry it out. You mention they would have come under fire from artillery. Again, I would respond, more than they did attacking from the front? You and I can argue all day, the truth is we will never know if it would have worked. We do however know that Lee's way did not work.

[@suzangreenier3351]

Agree!!!

[@siennavanlife9502]

Being from Atlanta and having studied the Battle of Atlanta and Sherman's March to the Sea; having been to all the battlefields here and reviewed Hood's offensive defense strategy, I didn't think too highly of him prior to watching this video. I definitely have a much more appreciative view of him now. I have no doubt that he did in fact remember ever detail of that battle even given 10 years later... that's no time at all for such a dramatic and traumatic experience. Think about how many times he played over the 'what ifs' in his mind during those 10 years.

[@geneyaher7888]

Jefferson Davis threw away his one chance to hold out until the 1864 election that may well have given the peace seeking Democrats victory by replacing wise Joseph Johnston with Hood, who went on to destroy the Army of Tennessee.

[@mattjones8254]

I live in Atlanta also.... John Bell Hood had the best combat troops of any commander in the civil war.... That's why he was placed in Longstreet's Corps..... His troops were battle hardened and they were not a joke by any means..... He had good men under his command.

[@Tigershark-qy2gq]

Hood was clearly very literate and eloquent. Add in his crazy bravery and ability to take so many grievous wounds, and you have quite a soldier. He did make some serious mistakes in battle and was not loved by most of his men. He was a hard leader, but he seemed to push the same unrealistic demands on himself as well.

[@mickmegson6241]

His men called him "old wooden head" because he was so stupid. It wasn't a fond nickname, he was widely despised.

[@pamelaoliver8442]

Agreed. His men don't seem to remember him as fondly.

[@yerbiggdady]

... a VERY brave soldier , but , he sure botched the defense of Atlanta ~

[@g0679]

The loss of his leg likely would have taken his life - had he been an enlisted man. The odds of surviving an amputation so close to the hip, especially without the degree of medical attention given to officers, were very slim. (Per the late, great Edwin Bearss.)

[@Tigershark-qy2gq]

@@g0679 Couldn't agree more. That is still in this day and age very serious and life threatening surgery. Even after modern day surgery, over half of patients die after the operation.

[@infinitejest9855]

I find myself sympathetic to General Hood especially at Gettysburg but also throughout his whole career. I love civil war history these guys were really something

[@thatguyinelnorte]

Except for Franklin, TN, yes.

[@infinitejest9855]

You are 100 percent correct lol

[@thatguyinelnorte]

@@infinitejest9855 I had relatives in the 46th Georgia that were sick in hospital at the time or might not have survived the war because of that debacle. Not trying to give value judgements about their cause (I had relatives in the Union Army, too); but that battle was a horrific and unnecessary waste of human life.

[@infinitejest9855]

I’m sorry to hear that 🥺and I totally agree I don’t know why Hood did what he did I could speculate but what’s the point the whole Franklin Nashville campaign was just a disaster.

[@thatguyinelnorte]

@@infinitejest9855 Agreed. And I don't hate him; but it's hard to honor a general who killed his own army.

[@jbearmcdougall1646]

I'm a Scottish man, living still in my home country, and I've always found the civil war an interesting time period to study.. I've just found you so I'll be subscribing now.. I look forward to looking through your video's

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much supporting the channel and watching. Please do check out my other videos.

[@gregorymacdonnell7914]

Jeff Moore, greetings from a fellow Scotsman!

[@markjamison9677]

Your a Scotsman well the best way to describe the civil war is the north is England and the south is Scotland . Look at our northern cities now defund the police disrespect the flag and wanting Marxism .

[@jbearmcdougall1646]

@@markjamison9677 I do understand the civil war....I've beennintrested for decades and reading about Americas history too...

[@jbearmcdougall1646]

@@gregorymacdonnell7914 from anywhere nice?

[@thomasgalvin8349]

I really enjoyed this. I would disagree that 10 years later he would not remember exactly what occurred on that day. This was no ordinary day in his life and I would say every detail of it was forever embedded in his mind. Wonderful video. Thank you.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos.

[@pc3983]

I don’t see any reason for him not remembering it so clearly ... after living through a battle like that , you would not forget it !

[@an-tm3250]

I agree. As one always remembers vividly the details of a personal trauma.

[@redcloak676]

I agree. It was a relatively simple straightforward assault.

[@davidbruce5524]

it is a well known fact that Hood wanted to flank round top and hit the federal supply lines as well as take the hill. This was one of the few battles where tactical errors by Lee were made during the war. Lee should have just given the order to take LRT and left the method to his on scene commanders.

[@glockspecific7757]

Being injured, in and out of consciousness makes it very easy for things to be cloudy! I speak from my own humbled experience!

[@kevinshayne9559]

@@glockspecific7757 Correct, my brother in arms...hope you're doing better these days. I know the fog of war myself.

[@philRminiatures]

Great vid, beautiful maps and illustrations, a famous battle we've played in miniatures and a battlefield I wish to visit one day...Congrats from France!

[@yaelrar.4460]

You really should. One thing is for sure: The hair will stand up on the back of your neck. Life is in the blood. Which is why the blood still speaks even today.

[@GhostofSicklesleg]

Great video, Gettysburg is my favorite place to visit. I have been there 13 times and still love goin there.

[@josephvalvano829]

I live a relatively short distance away from the battlefield, and it’s a place whose meaning carries an aura. As a retired Army Officer it has even more significance for me.

[@josephvalvano829]

@Stephen Norman .....I’ve never seen one, I have seen some very convincing video evidence though. It’s an eerie place at night, especially along the open fields adjacent to Emmitsburg Road, where the charge took place. The air you breath has a heaviness that is hard to explain. So much death in such a small space.

[@ricklindsey5216]

Same here. Actually thought of moving there. Grandson loved it

[@josephvalvano829]

@Rick Lindsey ...its a beautiful place. No matter where the Army sent me, my family and I always called the gentle rolling mountains and hills of PA, our real “home”

[@ricklindsey5216]

Thank you joesph for your service. And you and yours couldn’t pick a better place to call home. Be safe buddy over there.

[@brucer81]

You are a remarkable story teller Sir. Aside from the history told, your melodic voice and well chosen words make listening most enjoyable. Thank you.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos. I truly appreciate the views.

[@jackcoleman5955]

I love that these recollections were included in the dialogues in the Gettysburg movie. Ted T clearly did his homework.

[@twowheeledwireman282]

The way you narrate this story brings me to tears. Beautifully done. Thank you

[@blusnuby2]

I believe General J.B. Hood`s account. Ten years is but a pittance of time for remembering the significant events of this profound battle in which he was an instrumental part of.

[@purplefood1]

@@chipcook5346 10 minutes even. Human memory is ridiculously falliable, there's a reason eye witnesses aren't actually all that useful a lot of time.

[@CS-zn6pp]

I have read several accounts of Hood being reluctant to attack as ordered that day. No reason exists to doubt the man's courage or his word. I believe Lee made errors due to poor scouting of the federal position, remember the federal line was extended while Hood waited for Hill's corps.

[@purplefood1]

@@CS-zn6pp There's a difference between lying and being mistaken. Plenty of people will swear to the grave on what they think they saw only to be confronted with proof they're misremembering. Human memory is not only falliable it's downright inaccurate at most times.

[@tsdobbi]

People keep focusing on his memory, not whether he might lie to make himself look good.

[@JobberBud]

This was fascinating! Thanks for your work in making this video!

[@tyronephipps7759]

It’s been 18yrs since Iraq, we hit and discovered many IEDS and complex attacks escorting TCNs. There are a few occasions though, like the time we was crossing a bridge and had it wired with 8 bombs trying to drop us in the Tigris. I can see remembering it in ten, with losses of that level. I loss 3 of my own men and still haunts me

[@user-xe8vv6qj1b]

Time to forget, bro. Iraq war is over. Thank God you are alive and make life enjoyable for yourself and your family.

[@Foxtrap731]

Those moments stick around, usually forgotten, until something triggers the memory. It’s tough not to get sucked down into that fear, shame, doubt, and sorrow. It’s part of you, but don’t let it define you. It’s tough.

[@frankapplegate4852]

I enjoyed watching and listening to this once again. You make Hood live again for a moment in my mind and build respect for the soldier in him regardless of the side he is on. People with no interest wonder why it matters. It matters because they are real people and the effect of war never ends. Thank you Sir

[@benwade3987]

Thank you so much for this...

[@eddiep457]

Again your in depth information is a pleasure to listen too

[@madmaxc343]

The essence of what Hood expresses in this letter was well portrayed in the movie Gettysburg. There's a great scene where he protests against the assault in a meeting with General Longstreet.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I think they used his book or at least his portrayal is based off the book. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos.

[@kiltmanm60]

Well done. Buford and Longstreet are my favorite leaders of that era.... but Hood was unquestionably a force to recon with.

[@chrispedraza4140]

Why?

[@ValerieGriner]

JEB Stuart, A.P. Hill and John Bell Hood are some of my favorites. I'm not real sure about Longstreet, but he was probably okay.

[@EagleEyeM4]

Outstanding work sir!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

thank you so much.

[@billd.iniowa2263]

I appreciate your channel and enjoy your work sir. I have only recently discovered it. Thankyou for an honest and non-biased account of these men... These generals... And the boys and men that served under them.

[@leonidaslantz5249]

Thank you For this wonderful video. Subscribed.

[@amaninthestreet8002]

Excellent stuff. Best wishes from the u.k

[@paulsoftley8170]

Really enjoyed that, keep up the great work, thank you.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much and thank you for the support.

[@fatheremmons85]

I tend to believe that certain events you see and experience in life brand themselve's into your memory. Event's that carry so much weight and consequence that you couldn't forget a single detail about that event, even if you wanted to. I would say the part Hood played in this massive and historic battle is one of those event's for him.

[@TheseusTitan]

I believe what he wrote was extremely accurate and valuable. He lived it and it was a very intense battle.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos. I think you will enjoy them.

[@fredcampos762]

By by

[@frisco21]

While Hood was writing "extremely accurate and valuable" accounts of the war, he was also using his pen to condemn "Negroes" as an "inferior race." Kind of takes the shine off him, doesn't it? It will never make sense to me why we would want to name a U.S. military installation after a man who made a career of killing U.S. Army soldiers and who fought to preserve a cause dedicated to enslaving an entire race of people. Such insanity!

[@TheseusTitan]

@@frisco21 No it doesn’t. They are two separate subjects.

[@frisco21]

@@TheseusTitan ...Nope. You can't have it both ways. Even in the 1860s many Americans understood that slavery was fundamentally wrong, but not Hood. Even judging him by the morals of his day, he was on the wrong side of that issue, and that has the practical effect of casting doubt on his other views. By some accounts, John Bell Hood was directly responsible for the deaths of 65,000 to 90,000 Union soldiers. Why the fuck would we want to name a U.S. ARMY BASE after the person responsible for murdering so many U.S. Army soldiers? It makes zero sense. Here's a brilliant idea: how about naming the next military base Fort Benedict Arnold, after another traitor to the United States of America. Honestly, the people who come up with this shit have mush for brains.

[@sniperpatch]

Outstanding video keep up the good work subbed.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for the support.

[@bullcat6531]

Someone once said that Hood was "too much lion, not enough fox."

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I can completely see that.

[@josephvalvano829]

@The Anthropologist _Forensic ....The disaster at Franklin suggests otherwise, however he did want to flank the Round Tops. If Longstreet had Pickett’s Division available even an attack along that terrible axis of advance would have succeeded. However, Pickett’s Division was still hours away, and had its own date with destiny on the morrow.

[@suzangreenier3351]

@The Anthropologist _Forensic agree!!!!

[@dougnurse4952]

I believe that was Lee who said that upon hearing Hood had assumed command of the Army of Tennessee.

[@boydgrandy5769]

Hood was one of the best divisional commanders of the entire war, on either side. His promotion to lead higher level, independent commands in the Western Theater of the war demonstrated that he was not equipped to properly function at that level. He was elevated in rank above his level of competence. In Hood's defense, he was badly wounded in the attack of 2nd July in the left arm. He would never have use of it again. Later, at Chickamauga, he was wounded badly again, resulting in the loss of his right leg just below the hip. He was, after those injuries, in a great deal of pain, for which he apparently took the available medications of the time, including laudanum, a tincture of opium. Had to be tied into the saddle to ride. His pain and opiate use probably contributed to his poor performance as a higher level army commander, as he became increasingly erratic and irascible. Most men would have gone home. After Chickamauga, John Bell Hood should have.

[@davehoover8214]

Thank you for the video. Very touching.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. I really appreciate the views. Please check out my other videos.

[@rpm1796]

Well done. Just came over from your June,29th 2020, effort on the Day two controversy of the Battle.....General Hood well condemns Longstreet for the ages.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Absolutely. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos. I think you will enjoy them.

[@jonpage4029]

Love this man's stories. Keep up the good work

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for the support and kind works. Keep checking back for more videos.

[@josephmaloney9565]

In The Killer Angels, Longstreet is portrayed as having urged Lee to permit the attack to focus on flanking Round Top rather than up that road. It may be Longstreet did so, and hated to reject Hood’s pleas. Great video!

[@GhostCob]

I believe when you go thru something like that you certainly Remember a lot . Have a great day. Blessings from Gettysburg…

[@andrewsilverstein6186]

Excellent, as usual, thank you

[@retriever19golden55]

General Hood's disregarded protest against this hopeless mission is one of the most tragic stories of the battle. I believe he was right about his proposed flanking movement. Yes, people's memories can fade...but this was likely the most traumatizing event in his life, and I totally believe his account.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

I'd say Chickamauga and Franklin were a bit more traumatic for him...

[@fload46d]

It was very clear that a flanking and rearguard attack by Hood would have probably won the day for the Confederates at Gettysburg. Lee was not well and probably had suffered a heart attack in that battle. But that's history. Victory or defeat sometimes depends on very small things.

[@ColinH1973]

@John Harris This is pretty garbled John.

[@kucingmiumiu854]

John Harris well maybe if the confederate army had night vision googles, radios, and aerial drone.

[@poman1976]

The point is, if Lee's orders had been followed in the morning, and Longstreet had been a capable corps commander who could make the adjustments that Lee expected corps commanders to make, then the battle on the union left would have gone much differently on day 2. That is really not up for debate.

[@jamess7576]

@@poman1976 Not up for debate? You must not visit Civil War forums or peruse the Civil War book section. There is plenty up for debate on Longstreet's decisions and performance on that day.

[@poman1976]

@@jamess7576 Not really. Just read the after action reports. I don't care what a modern historian has to say- they are tainted by 150 years of propaganda from both sides.

[@frankphillips6001]

When do you was in the Boy Scouts, we spent a week in Gettysburg. I remember quite vividly climbing those rocks at Little Round Top and getting a very haunting feeling walking the battlefield.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

It is a very haunting place, I love visiting. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos.

[@RUNNOFT71]

Dude, I love these videos!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much. I just released a video on Fremantle's description of Gettysburg. Part two drops today at 7pm est.

[@Bumper776]

I was in the U.S. Army 50 years ago and remember several events quite clearly.

[@GregoryLuce]

Excellent video. My four or five back great-grandfather served under Hood in the First Texas Infantry and survived Little Round Top. I am no apologist for the Confederacy but I wish he had written his account of the battle. Despite my heritage I’m happy the South lost, but it was very moving to stand on Little Round Top and imagine what it was like for him.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos. I think you'll like them. I have one video about Hood at Chickamauga.

[@suzangreenier3351]

Wow!!! How lucky u are! God Bless Bexar co from my old days...

[@jdlovely]

Hood is my family. I am glad he lost and I hope they rename Fort Hood after someone who did not raise arms against this nation.

[@GregoryLuce]

@james crowe My ancestors deserve no honor for promoting and protecting slavery. I'm not anti-white, I'm anti-racist.

[@GregoryLuce]

james crowe Sorry, too busy trying to end murder of POC by cops. Also affirmative action is not a law and if it bothers you, contact your elected officials. I have no power to change businesses’ practices, aside from the fact that it isn’t racist in the first place.

[@QuantumRift]

Thank you, this brings more to the table, to understand what happened...could never quite understand why Hood didn't flank and attack...now I know.

[@moderntentcamping]

Great information. Well done video.

[@unsexynstupid]

Hood was an amazing Brigade and Divisional Commander. Sadly he was given command of the Army of the Tennessee in 1864, and thus rode that Army into it's demise at Franklin and Nashville. For the record, my great great grandfather, Robert Carlisle, served under Hood as a member of the 9th Alabama cavalry.

[@tharrrrrrr]

I believe the Army of the Tennessee was a Union army.

[@jonathanbrown7250]

There's plenty of examples of the Peter principle at work in the civil war. Generals who have been great regimental, divisional, or corps commanders, promoted past their level with not good results. Unfortunately, the only way to find out in the civil war was probably to promote them and see what happens

[@atlasmasterdmind4070]

​@tharrrrrrr The Army OF Tennessee was the confederate army That Hood commanded. Named for the State. The Army of THE Tennessee was the Union army (Named after the Tennessee river.

[@jonathanbrown7250]

Not to get too pedantic but for anyone who's interested. Union armies tended to be named after rivers. .Confederate armies tended to be named after the region they operated in. Army of the Potomac (Union) v. Army of Northern Va (Confederate). Army of the Tennessee (river) (Union) v Army of Tennessee (Confederate) Army of the Ohio (union). Army of Missisippi (Confederate

[@user-xe8vv6qj1b]

Why?

[@sean_connors]

Well done. Thank you, sir. If I may - General John Bell Hood May have been brash and aggressive, but I personally think he was a brilliant, driven field commander along the lines of General George S. Patton. I am certain he relived his part in that battle nearly every day of his life, and wrote to General Longstreet in exacting detail and perfect clarity. Note the lack of use of phrases such as “to my recollection”, or “as I recall”. Each sentence is precise in description, direct in delivery. Next to a video camera, General Hood’s letter is as good as it gets regarding a field commander engaged in front-line combat. The horror and intensity of that combat was no doubt seared into his consciousness for eternity.

[@user-xe8vv6qj1b]

Good redaction, man. Are you a journalist?

[@sean_connors]

@@user-xe8vv6qj1b - I am not. I appreciate precision in linguistic conveyance. Curious your use of word “redaction”. Typo?

[@user-xe8vv6qj1b]

@@sean_connors no. Error.

[@burtvincent1278]

I enjoyed hearing an account from an eye witness. I think his mind was clear on the events after only 10 years.

[@deofolwitga2077]

Awesome video, my 3x great grandad on my grandads moms side fought under Lt. Turnbull in Battery F, while on my grandads dads side had a great grandpa who fought in the 5th Florida regiment. I made it to Gettysburg for the first time last week and stood in the same spot as my ancestors on that hallowed ground. If either one had killed each other I would not be here today. Well done video.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I always love going to Gettysburg or any battlefield, especially Chickamauga where my ancestor fought. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos.

[@tnt-hv6qw]

absolutely awesome. great job. i’m addicted to these man. i agree with you about ten yrs after. but also a very pivotal moment in ones life and imprint of being wounded i believe keeps the memory of such an event in your life sharp. being fifty now i can reflect on traumatic moments in my life and compare. but your point is valid. i think it more about making sure his reputation in history wouldn’t be stained by such a suicide attack. your reading of his account with so much i know about gettysburg now has raised a very serious question about general lee whom i regard as the greatest general this country has produced. and that is why be so dead set in his orders that he could not listen to his commanders. after all he knows they can do about anything for him. but i believe after longstreet tried to pursued lee to move away from gettysburg he saw how determined lee was and never again approached lee with the concerns of his field commanders. but as you get deeper in their accounts the more i realize i don’t know crap lol. yet. great job hero as always can’t wait for another. good luck in your classes Virginian and god bless ya.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for the support. As I said in my video, John Bell Hood is one of my favorite commanders to study. His life is fascinating and his military career is controversial. I know you probably have already watched it, but I do have a video where I explain why Lee ordered Pickett's Charge. His tactics had worked all the way up until that point. Why would he think they wouldn't work at Gettysburg? Thank you again.

[@tnt-hv6qw]

Have History Will Travel i did watch it. thank you. and thanks for the reminder i’ll watch it again quick as i get done here. i watched one vid. yesterday the retreat from gettysburg and what they went thru leaving gives a hint of what maybe lee knew longstreet couldn’t see and that was with such a massive army coming up on a massive force that hadn’t fortified fully i guess lee knew you can’t turn such an army that hadn’t even reach that area easy. and if he were ever to break thru a union force it would be then before the union was completely consolidated. hoping to panic the union. and he had reason to believe it cause of the first day of pushing union troops out of the town. thank you for responding i know your trying to attend your classes and are very busy. i don’t expect you to respond all the time so don’t feel obligated because i wouldn’t want to take away from your schedule and working on more readings lol. all my best to you sir. thank you again. 👍👍👍👋👋👋

[@roballen5257]

Also lee thought this attack would commence sooner than it did do to longstreet having to find a more concealed route. If it were earlier in the day, hood may have received orders to go around big round top, that would have changed the battle dramatically.

[@tnt-hv6qw]

Rob Allen thanks rob. i love all aspects and view points. it all comes together as a true picture. i luv this stuff. thanks guys. i can read facts from everybody all day.

[@dobypilgrim6160]

Since he wrote it to Longstreet, any inaccuracies would have immediately been called out by him. Therefore I believe this to be a quite honest account by Hood as he recalled it.

[@librarian0075]

Longstreet has an axe to grind.

[@kylejones9673]

Well done video.

[@jeffbaxter8770]

Thank you. Real fascinating stuff. From south africa

[@brianjett5718]

Terrific!

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you. I love this account.

[@damnedyankee946]

Joshua Laurence Chamberlain ! ~ Have a nice day ~ from Maine !

[@mattjohnson7198]

Really enjoyed this video. Thank you for sharing.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you for watching. Please check out my other videos and consider subscribing if you have not done so already.

[@mattjohnson7198]

@@HistoryGoneWilder Liked and subbed👍

[@howardjohnson2138]

Very nicely done. Thanks

[@burt5057]

Thanks for this video. As one who will be visiting Gettysburg for the first time in a few weeks this is most helpful. I look forward to my trip.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for the support and have an awesome trip.

[@keithdmaust1854]

Rodger, try to visit the battlefield very early in the morning before the tour buses show up and start disgorging masses of people. I went very early in the morning just a few months ago and it was very magical to stand at the stone wall that was the high water mark of the war for the South.

[@burt5057]

Hi Keith. That's certainly my intention. I'm an early riser and hope to be able to breakfast at my hotel around 7 and then get out and about. I intend to cover the area on foot if I can. I also hope to be out and about in the battlefields late evening too.

[@burt5057]

I will thanks. I have read so much over the years on the Civil War and finally I'm coming to visit study and learn. There is so much on KZbin now which is a great help and to hear the views of the those who took part is almost like stepping back in time. I'm from the UK and arrive in Gettysburg September 3rd for 8 days.

[@keithdmaust1854]

@@burt5057 Hi Rodger, having lived in nearby Lancaster for almost 10 years and originally being from Pennsylvania I hope you will allow me to give you a little bit of micro-advice. May I suggest getting up just a slight bit earlier and splitting your day because the cool of the morning before anybody arrives is really when you will get what I think you're looking for and by midday the heat and humidity are going to be truly oppressive so I would suggest taking an afternoon break or even an afternoon siesta and then going back out in the cool of the evening - or do something in the afternoon in one of the indoor venues. You may wish to check with others in this comment section about timing but I had my best experiences VERY early in the morning - mainly because of the coolness and also because of a lack of tour buses which I assure you will come pouring in and pretty much destroy any experience. Best of luck on your trip! Also if you're there for the photography I'm sure you're well aware the early morning and late evening lighting is the best for injecting drama into the visuals.

[@sillysunday7065]

The failure to attack on the flank is a great "What if?" of American history. Despite Lee's overall brilliance, he seemed less inclined at Gettysburg to make some of the masterful loves that helped carry the day in so many other battles. Some of the following may explain why. That battle is filled with "What if?" moments. What if Gen. Jackson had not been mortally wounded at Chancelorsville? What if Gen. Ewell had attempted a proper assault on Cemetery Hill on the first day? What if Gen. Stuart had not been separated from The rest of the army and been able to provide the typical stellar reconnaissance Gen. Lee relied upon.

[@Skott62]

What if Lee had not turned down Lincoln's offer to command the Northern Army? So many what ifs in any part of our history and how it would have changed the course of history. Lee is human. Even great tactician's make mistakes. Despite all this new politically correct must hate anything confederate related modern era I think Lee is one of the finest generals ever to come out of West Point and grace us upon the battlefield.

[@robrussell5329]

"What if" McClellan had enough balls to commit his whole force at Antietam? It could have been all over that long day in September '62

[@robrussell5329]

If Ewell takes Cemetery Hill on Day 1, then the Union simply falls back towards Washington and forms the defensive line that it always envisioned. To fight another day.

[@spencerkimble3824]

And they don’t attack an invading army in their territory? I dunno, the political pressure on the army of the Potomac to evict the army of northern Virginia must have been extreme

[@tsdobbi]

@@robrussell5329 ""What if" McClellan had enough balls" You can literally just change this to what if McClellan had balls. The war could have been over by 1863. The guy was completely allergic to taking anything resembling a risk.

[@historify.54]

Fascinated by the CW since about 9 years old. I’m 70 now, military veteran and retired history teacher . Visited Gettysburg last week for the first time, along with Antietam, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Petersburg, and Appomattox. It’s the stories of horror, deprivation, mutilation, and death of ordinary soldiers that will stay with me. Damn the romantics.

[@andrewhoward9870]

So interesting. Thank you.

[@Rowehouse1819]

Proud to have my 2nd great grandfather fought under Hood at Gettysburg. 11th Georgia Co H Wheatfield

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Hood's Division was a tough group of fighters. I would be proud as well.

[@billhilliard5454]

Read " Advance And Retreat" by General Hood, published in the late 1880's.

[@casimirkukielka3842]

Great vid. Keep them coming

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much. I will. Please consider subscribing to the channel. Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@casimirkukielka3842]

@@HistoryGoneWilder definitely, thanks again

[@markaurelius9149]

GREAT VIDEO. THANK YOU!!!

[@fett333]

I want Gen. Hood to explain Franklin. WTF were you thinking Gen. Hood? Perfect example of someone promoted one level too high. Great divisional commander- never should have been promoted to command an army

[@Masonsartshack]

that's two levels higher...

[@fett333]

Sexual.Harrassment.Panda - he didn’t really shine as Corps Commander either - brave to a fault but not suited for independent command

[@mattelder4204]

"desperate times call for desperate measures"

[@frankmiller95]

@@mattelder4204 Which means what, exactly? Logical thought is clearly not your forte'.

[@mattelder4204]

@@frankmiller95 It means that the South was in desperate times at that point. Therefore, desperate measures were in order. Any more retarded kids need some help?

[@kensummerlin180]

Lee was uncertain because he had no idea where the Jeb and the Cavalry were. He hadn't heard from them for days and days.

[@ronaldshank7589]

Can you imagine if 1:Gen. Stuart had been with them, and been able to scout the Union positions? Also 2:If Gen Lee had done everything right in the first day of the Gettysburg Campaign alone? He'd of had that Campaign, and quite possibly the Civil War, won by Sundown of the first day! As it is, though, that isn't what happened. One thing after another went wrong for Gen. Lee and the Confederacy!

[@markbuchanan9199]

However, Lee did have cavalry with him. He had “eyes”.

[@bewareofchild2462]

Thank you.

[@baystateplugflipper7061]

Great job sir!!

[@wxman5401]

"General Longstreet, I do this under protest"

[@firefalcon9368]

"If yankee's get guns up there, we're going to need buckets to catch the lead. You got to take that hill."

[@notfromthisworld7672]

"You should of let me go around..."

[@georgeforgerty2875]

If they went around to the big hill, things would be better for this country!

[@emintey]

Hood was certainly right about Little Round Top as was Longstreet about Pickett's charge, which makes Hood's actions at Franklin even more puzzling where he repeated those same errors even on a more grievous level. Hood had suffered terrible wounds having lost an arm and later a leg and so I believe that he could not have been in his right mind to order that charge at Franklin and then later to attempt to besiege a fortified position at Nashville with a much smaller force, both actions being suicidal. Hood's army there being the only time during the war that an army was actually destroyed as opposed to just being defeated. The only explanations being that he was not in his right mind or that he was incompetent and I don't think he was incompetent.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I believe you are right. I'm not sure if he was on morphine at the time but he would later be on morphine for the pain. That definitely could have impacted his decision making.

[@retriever19golden55]

@@HistoryGoneWilder Wasn't Lee also on something similar at the time?

[@emintey]

@@HistoryGoneWilder Also, he had recently been rejected for marriage by what was said to be a beautiful but flighty young woman, who knows how that could have affected his psychology? Can you imagine in this day and age appointing a commanding general who had suffered the trauma of those grievous wounds being appointed to command of an army? The tale of John Bell Hood is a sad and tragic one all around as was his ultimate demise and leaving a horde of fatherless and motherless young children, I don't know whatever became of them.

[@alancoe1002]

I think Hood was profoundly effected by his success at Gaines Mill, attacking uphill successfully, an extreme rarity, given the low rate of successful attacks in this war. He thought determination was more important than the obstacles.

[@tedbaxter5234]

Awesome! Subscribed!

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

Another video well done

[@apbiggins8mm]

General Lee once said if I had an entire division of Texas soldiers no army in the world could stop me. He also proudly pointed out the texas regiments to an english officer. When the 1st Texans march by the english officer noted how tagged they were thus the name radded old first became there nick name. At the battle of second Manassas the 5th texas decimated the 5th New York suaves giving them the nickname the bloody 5th

[@user-xe8vv6qj1b]

Don’t mesh with a Texan!

[@santagemma6212]

John Bell Hood a great and able General. Lee was drunk with earlier victories.

[@rickycalais3356]

It my humble opinion, I’ve always felt Lee’s tactics involved/required/resulted in losing way more men than he could afford to. Even his victorious came at a price that he could not afford to pay and survive long term.

[@odysseusrex5908]

It;s interesting that, in this letter, he seems to think that Round Top itself was occupied when, in fact, the Union Line ended on the southern slope of Little Round Top. As you point out, the memory plays tricks. I wonder what he really thought at the time. At any rate, it seems to me that any attempt to march clear around Round Top would have been easily observed and left First Corps isolated and subject to attack by much greater numbers.

[@MrHydenSeek]

I really enjoyed this video, Hood was quite the figure.

[@janis317]

What Hood didn't know is that Hood would have run right into the Corps that Meade was keeping as his reserve force, he would have had an even worse fight and could have possibly been cut off from the main line. Confederate Recon was piss poor at Gettysburg,

[@donchichivagabond1578]

Your right yet his attack would've revealed the greater flaw in Lee's frontal attack by showing how the North's position was almost rock solid. Longstreet's plan then would've been seen as the best course of action.

[@wxman5401]

The cavalry were on the wrong flank for good recon

[@jumpmaster82nd.]

Exactly, Sykes and most of the 5th Corps were there. At 5Pm Sedgwick was on the Baltimore Pike at Rock Creek just to the east. The Confederates would have stretched a thin, 6+ mile line out to 8 and still have enough depth to carry the Union left? Really? Dream on...so many things wrong with that plan you can't name them all in one thread. They'd have been smashed.

[@LelandERay]

PS: Pelham at Fredericksburg would be interesting. Just a suggestion.

[@drfranklippenheimer8743]

Well done.

[@bamnguyen7903]

I like the soft background music. Can you tell us what it is? Anyways, great vids. Have been binge watching your channel for the last 2 days

[@dperry913MusicTracks]

Great video. Porter Alexander on Gettysburg might be another good subject. And James Longstreet, who said some very detailed things.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

I do have a video on Longstreet. But Alexander is a future video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rorQkoyBdqymiK8 Thank you so much for the support.

[@alancoe1002]

McLaws too!

[@ARCtrooperblueleader]

Absolutely magnificent video. Hood was one of the true military leaders in history. He was a solid commander and an officer who deeply cared for his men.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for the kind words and supporting the channel.

[@Gunsandfun1961]

Thanks ... Good stuff,,,,

[@gubbylee]

Ones memory does not fade after time after enduring such as fighting in the Battle of Gettysburg, Especially 10 years after the battle ... a Gentleman like General Hoods senses are so keen and hyped that he remembered just he started in his letter like the battle was yesterday and it probably haunted his dreams ... if he was allowed to turn round top its my opinion history would be different.

[@thomast8539]

If Hood felt so strongly about his disposition that he felt it necessary to ask Longstreet a second time to go around Round Top, then why didn't he instead, send a staff officer directly to Lee to explain that circumstances required an alteration to the plan of attack? Surely Lee would have acquiesced to Hood's concerns.

[@michaelbarnett2527]

I doubt Lee would have changed his mind. Longstreet had already tried the same argument with Lee to no avail.

[@tinnedtuna8242]

Because the point was to make a scapegoat of Longstreet.

[@generalbooger9146]

good job

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much.

[@alexandertroup851]

Very good historical follow up

[@joezephyr]

I am Australian. Great video thank you. The North winning in 1865 leads to many things including supporting Ukraine today. We must defeat Russian agression!

[@ricksamericana749]

Given Hood's horrific war wounds resulting two amputations I have long wondered what effects may have resulted from such trama. Hood's later decisions during the war beg the question, how did Hood manage his pain? Is there any evidence of morphine use? Did he use alcohol before or after his injuries? It is especially ironic, given Hood's Gettysburg experience that he would order similar attacks at Franklin less than two years later.

[@Joseph-eh4rs]

His loss at Franklin was worse than Pickett's charge.

[@77Cardinal]

He was using an opiate to manage pain and due to his wounds and amputations had to be strapped to his saddle for hours in the field by the time of Franklin. I can't imagine being more uncomfortable. Being personally willing to drive himself through tremendous pain and the use of generous doses of laudinum didn't seem to make him less skillful as a tactical commander but probably made him less likely to be an effective leader. You can imagine how Hood might respond to an officer who suggested that his men were tired.

[@pigurine]

He went coo coo

[@ricksamericana749]

@KansasScout I haven't come across any historical records on the subject. Nor can I find any reference to it in popular narrative histories. Do you know of any?

[@Tomatohater64]

Hood was quite the character by almost all accounts.

[@carolbell8008]

He was a man of great character! As he continued to lead into battle after losing a leg and arm. He was courageous and honest. 🌺

[@augustreigns9716]

what a beautiful language. (..........thank you for sharing ...........)

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel.

[@augustreigns9716]

@@HistoryGoneWilder you're welcome.

[@frankfanuzzi8395]

Hood as I recall lost an arm this of coarse after already losing a leg...and his thoughts he said were for his men when being brought from that battlefield...remarkable!

[@timschrage1694]

Arm at Gettysburg and a leg at Chickamauga

[@thomashazlewood4658]

One would not forget the only time he ever protested his orders. Of course, Hood's recollection is accurate.

[@charlesbelser158]

I must agree with Hood in reference to his protest . However , his extraordinary men came extremely close to overrunning the yankee position.

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

He did have a fighting group of men. He absolutely came very close.

[@mackenzieblair8135]

No he didn’t... the 6th Corps was arriving on the field and would have easily dislodged any foothold Hood’s Division may have gained on the round tops.

[@1950Chimaera]

@@HistoryGoneWilder What good would that have accomplished, even if he had overrun Little Round Top? He never could have turned left and rolled up towards the Yankee center anyway. Anyone that says he could have is dreaming. I can't imagine why anyone could ever have believed he would be in any kind of offensive position at that point. The Union Army could so easily concentrate their forces in defense he would never had made it any distance. General Lee should have never attacked on the third day, after such a poor showing the day before.

[@marinewillis1202]

Victory was never gonna happen after Ewell declined to take Culps Hill on day one. Had that happened the north would have had to fall back to a better position. When he didn't it was basically over

[@mattelder4204]

@@1950Chimaera wasn't it almost dark when the fight was over?

[@wiitmann205]

Fantastic Video. Interesting take. I've been to Gettysburg twice. Sitting on Little Round Top at the time, I asked the question both times why didn't the Confederates flank this hill. They would have cut off Taneytown Road and potentially Baltimore Pike, severing supplies to Meade. I was HIGHLY critical of General Lee's strategies at Gettysburg. This battle is by far his worst blunder, in my opinion, even before Picket's Charge. He had the initiative, and seemed like he didn't trust his Generals like he should have. Lofty orders for Ewell at Culp's Hill, and ignoring Hood at Little Round Top. ( I did not know Hood requested numerous time that he wanted to turn the Union left Flank! Until this video) While being flustered about the whereabouts of Jeb Stuart. I also believe that Longstreet highly critical of Picket's charge far before it was carried out. He also was in favor of maneuver. WOW, what critical decisions made at the most critical time in our history...

[@AmericanCryptids]

His account of requests to take little round top are probably spot on. And if he had been allowed to do that the outcome of Gettysburg may have been drastically different. Good Video

[@HistoryGoneWilder]

Thank you so much for watching and supporting the channel. Please check out my other videos for more history. It definitely would have changed the circumstances of the third days battle.