Dr. Jones, I am not really up to speed on the high command of the ANV. I am more familiar with the AoT and even at that I am still very much the amateur. Therefore this is just a question. Is it possible Gordon was promoted over Hays for reasons of politics.

Gov. Joe Brown of Georgia may have been in the middle of one his tirades to keep Georgia's troops in Georgia. By 1864 he had good reason as we all know Sherman was headed toward Atlanta. Maybe Gordon was promoted to appease the Georgia politicians. With Louisiana cut off from Richmond I doubt our delegates had a lot of pull in 1864. Did not promotion to and of General Officers have to meet the approval of the Congress?

Am I looking at this wrong?