As long as it advances our understanding of the experiences, values and reasoning of our Southern ancestors, any 'debate' or attempt to set the record straight should be welcomed. My reply was prompted in part by this statement from your post --
Lee and Hood’s actions were never completely explained.
A defeat of this magnitude deserves some explanation, which I attempted to do in summary form.
This was followed by a statement that Hood was attempting another flanking movement like the failed attack of July 22nd.
Hood once again tried his failed flanking strategy used on July 22nd, but this time without the element of surprise.That's not true. Hood simply wanted to block Sherman's advance towards the western side of Atlanta.
Regarding "Walthall’s Men Sent to the Slaughter", in fairness to officers and men of the Army of Tennessee, I must disagree that responsibility for their slaughter doesn't really matter, and they didn't care one way or another. No soldier wants to die in a pointless action like this. Confederate veterans admired and respected General Johnston because he employed them carefully and to their best advantage. For that reason alone, most were shocked and downheartened by his removal from command.
You properly noted the dramatic impact Hood's bloody defeats had on morale, already on the decline following Johnston's abrupt departure. Veterans also knew when those in command were making decisions as the enemy wished them to do --
When Sherman heard of the battle, he exclaimed, “Good! That’s fine, just what I wanted. Tell Howard to invite them to attack, it will save us trouble, save us trouble. They’ll only beat their brains out, beat their brains out.” Connally, James Austin, Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society, 1928, 354. [Scaife, 108].Those so fortunate to have escaped these battles with their lives began to question the authority of those in command and look for opportunities to desert.
For anyone examining the records of these Mississippi soldiers during the summer of 1864, it's important to appreciate these issues.