An idea—largely mistaken—exists that Hood was something of a buffoon, unable to draw up good battle plans. As is usually the case, there was some truth to the accusation: Hood certainly was no Robert E. Lee. Hood was a capable, courageous man, however, who was excellent when commanding a division; it was only when he reached the level of commanding general that his deficiencies began to be more apparent. The truth is that Hood was in an impossible situation.

Most of what Hood had learned from three years’ service in the Army of Northern Virginia was inapplicable to the Western theater. The distances were longer, the supply lines even creakier, and Hood was outnumbered to a greater extent than Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia. Therefore, when Hood, logically, applied the lessons he had learned from Lee, he leaned toward the attack and played right into Sherman’s hands.