Apathy?

Boy, the subject you have hit on will forever be debated!
Your right, it’s a good book, and I too have read it several times, and will still look to it for answers.

I’m not totally sure what Hood’s mindset for a commander was, (He may not have truly known himself at times!) he at times seemed to give an order to subordinates, then left it to them to carry out the details without follow-up actions.

Initiative was lacking in several General Officers that day, and it seemed folk were trying to let Hood know things were not working out the way he wanted late at night. Hood seemed more interested in sleep that night, than in seeing his plans were being carried out! Orders seemed to conflict with previous orders, folk not knowing they were all pointed in the same direction, cutting off escape by the Feds.

Confusion reigned that evening, and that is where the lack of initiative came into play. If Chetham, or anyone else had said “we are covering that road, I’ll take responsibility”, things would have been different.

Even when the confederate ranks were camped along side the road, someone went to investigate noises on the road, and they didn’t return, (captured) no one raised an alarm! Or when Federals walked over to campfires to warm themselves, they in turn were captured, no one said anything. I believe that the Confederates didn’t think that the Federal Army would attempt an escape, because their actions didn’t reflect it.

Probably the best book on the subject I have read to date, just wish the Author would give the reader a benefit of the doubt about Hood’s command ability, without getting preachy about his character.

Am curious to see what others will post!

Kevin Dally