July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
HOOKER, Joseph (1814-1879) Major General. Lost the Battle of Chancellorsville, later performed well with Sherman in Georgia. Resigned from command when Sherman promoted Howard over Hooker. Hooker was popularly known as "Fighting Joe" Hooker, a nickname he regretted deeply; he said, "People will think I am a highwayman or a bandit." When a newspaper dispatch arrived in New York during the Peninsula Campaign, a typographical error changed an entry "Fighting — Joe Hooker Attacks Rebels" to remove the dash and the name stuck. Robert E. Lee occasionally referred to him as "Mr. F. J. Hooker" in a mildly sarcastic jab at his opponent. War Date Letter Signed, “Joseph Hooker” as Major General, two separate sheets, quarto, Head Quarters, Insane Asylum, Maryland, October 14, 1862, addressed to Governor Morgan of New York, it reads in part: “...A communication dated Albany, 12th...has been handed me, in which it is stated that my recommendation of Capt. T.W. Osborn will secure to this officer the Colonelcy of a Regiment from your State. If this is the case, I cannot refrain from expressing to you, my most grateful acknowledgements, for this evidence of your confidence in my judgment, and only regret that I am not more deserving of it. As regards Capt. Osborne, I can only say, that I know of no officer in the service better qualified to fill the station it is proposed for him to occupy...He was an officer in my old Division and contributed in no small degree to its success and I hope renown...” Fine. Osborne was promoted but only to the rank of major, and that occurred in March of 1863.
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