By Stephen Hood
The ancient neighborhood lengthy believed basic Hood’s papers have been misplaced or destroyed, and diverse books and articles have been written approximately him with out the good thing about those worthy records. in reality, the papers have been conscientiously held for generations by means of a succession of Hood’s descendants, and within the autumn of 2012 transcribed by way of collateral descendent Sam Hood as a part of his examine for his publication John Bell Hood: the increase, Fall, and Resurrection of a accomplice normal (Savas Beatie, 2013.)
This assortment deals greater than two hundred records. whereas every one is a worthy piece of heritage, a few shed vital gentle on many of the war’s lingering mysteries and controversies. for instance, a number of letters from a number of accomplice officials may well eventually clarify the accomplice failure to catch or wreck Schofield’s Union military at Spring Hill, Tennessee, at the evening of November 29, 1864. one other letter via Lt. Gen. Stephen D. Lee is going far towards explaining accomplice Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne’s gallant yet reckless behavior that ended in his loss of life at Franklin. Lee additionally motels critical allegations opposed to accomplice Maj. Gen. William Bate. whereas those and others supply an army viewpoint of Hood the final, the disclosing letters among he and his loved and dedicated spouse, Anna, support us larger comprehend Hood the guy and husband.
Historians and different writers have spent generations speculating approximately Hood’s reasons, ideals, and goals, and the end result has now not constantly been flattering or maybe absolutely sincere. Now, long-believed “lost” firsthand money owed formerly unavailable provide insights into the nature, character, and armed forces operations of John Bell Hood the overall, husband, and father.