Sherman’s Displeasure With Hooker
My impression is that Hooker, in his signal-despatch of 5:30 P. M., saying, “We have repulsed two heavy attacks, and feel confident, our only apprehension being for our extreme right flank. Three entire corps are in front of us,”( 1) meant by “our extreme right flank” not his own right, but mine—that is, the extreme right of the entire line; for at the time of that despatch nearly my whole corps was strongly posted on Hooker’s right, and was well “refused,” forming a strong right flank. This General Hooker well knew. But the Sandtown Road leading to our rear, on which Cox’s division had been posted until Johnston’s attack made it necessary to close him up on Hascall, was now less strongly guarded. I believe that General Hooker had conceived the idea, as indicated by his despatch to Sherman, that Johnston had drawn his main force from around Kenesaw, and was about to strike our extreme right. I recollect that I was all the time on the watch for such a blow, but relied upon my cavalry to give me some warning of it, and made it a rule to be always as well prepared for it as I could. Being habitually on the flank, I had got used to that sort of thing, while Hooker, having been habitually in the center with his flanks well protected, was more nervous about having them exposed. At all events, I did not regard the situation at the Kolb House as anything unusual, and did not think of mentioning it in such a light to General Sherman; while General Hooker, with a sort of paternal feeling of seniority, may have thought it his duty to take care of the whole right wing of the army, and to advise the general-in-chief of the supposed danger to our “extreme right flank.”
There occurred on that occasion one of those little and seemingly trifling incidents which never escape the memory, and are always a source of pride, especially to those who are comparatively young. When Sherman read Hooker’s despatch, which he interpreted as meaning that my corps was not in position to protect Hooker’s flank, he said in substance, if not literally, and with great emphasis: “That is not true. I sent Schofield an order to be there. I know he received the order, for his initials, in his own hand, are on the envelop which the orderly brought back, and I know he is there. Hooker’s statement is false.” What a delight it was to execute the orders of a chief who manifested such confidence!