John Bell Hood (1831 - 1879)

Born 29 Jun 1831 in Owingsville, Bath, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Anna Marie Hennen — married 1868 (to 1879) in New Orleans Louisiana

Died 30 Aug 1879 at age 48 in New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States

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Biography

Military Service

John Hood is Notable.

John Hood was a Texan.

Brigadier General John Hood served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 1853
Mustered out: 1861
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 4th U.S. Infantry,2nd U.S. Cavalry in Texas

John Hood served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 1862
Mustered out: 1865
Side: CSA
Regiment(s): 4th Texas Infantry Regiment

Gen. John Hood was Wounded in Action during the United States Civil War.

A cousin to Confederate General G. W. Smith. A nephew to U.S. Representative Richard French. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. He graduated 44th out of 52. He almost didn't graduate because of excessive demerits. He was one of the best brigade and division commanders, with a reputation for bravery and aggressiveness bordering on recklessness. He was severely wounded at Gettysburg and lost the use of his arm. He suffered a fractured femur at Chickamauga and had his leg amputated.

Jefferson Davis promoted him to command of the army of Tennessee, because he wanted someone who would fight. At Atlanta he dissipated his army in a series of bold but fruitless assaults. He had to evacuate the city. At the battle of Franklin Tennessee he made a massive frontal assault without the support of artillery and lost 12 generals. He tried to besiege Nashville Tennessee but was decisively beaten. He lost 23,500 men out of 38,000 soldiers, 20,000 at Atlanta alone.

To the tune of The Yellow Rose of Texas:

My feet are torn and bloody,

My heart is full of woe,

I'm going back to Georgia

To find my Uncle Joe (Johnston)

You may talk about your Beauregard,

You may sing of Bobby Lee,

But the gallant Hood of Texas

Played hell in Tennessee.

Personal Life

After the war, he moved to Louisiana and became a cotton broker and life insurance business. He fathered 11 children, but was ruined by the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1878-79. He lost his oldest child, his wife and his life, leaving 10 destitute orphans.

Legacy

• Hood County, Texas is named in his honor.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCB1-7PV : 12 April 2016), John B Hood in household of John P Sherburne, Cornwall, Orange, New York, United States; citing family 542, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• Wikipedia:John_Bell_Hood
• Find A Grave: Memorial #4418
• http://counter.johnbellhood.org/bio-01.htm
• "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/24SY-6SL : accessed 8 October 2015), John Bell Hood in entry for Edward Holland and Odille Hood, 04 Oct 1902; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,570,824.
• "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/24SY-TYQ : accessed 8 October 2015), John Bell in entry for Duncan Hord and Norma Wilson, 25 Oct 1902; citing Marriage, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York City Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,570,825.

• "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M876-CHH : 12 June 2019), J B Hood, 1870.
• Died Aug 30 1879, age 48, Orleans, Louisiana "Louisiana, Orleans Parish Death Records and Certificates, 1835-1954", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Z7HK-JJMM : 25 April 2020), John B Hood, 1879.