XII: Hooker Under Fire
In the aftermath of his great victory, Hooker and the Army of the Potomac began a period of rest and refitting that would last the next two months. With enlistments expiring, Hooker's army began to bleed manpower reducing its offensive capabilities. Hooker also lost the services of his capable second in command Darius Couch who retired from active field command. Couch was succeeded in his role by General Henry Slocum. Slocum was a solid officer and would fulfill the role adequately.
Not everything was entirely quiet skirmishing continued along the front. Lee had reconstituted his forces somewhat and molded them again into a capable force. The Confederate commander was determined to strike back in some way and he looked to the Shenandoah Valley as a weak spot in the Union defenses. In mid June, Lee dispatched General Richard Ewell and roughly 12,000 men for a strike into the Valley. Ewell had previously been Stonewall Jackson's most able subordinate and he knew the Shenandoah extremely well. He succeeded in capturing Winchester along with its 4,000 man garrison. This was a significant setback and embarrassment for the Union. A furious Hooker, responded to the move by dispatching his trusted General Sedgwick at the head of 20,000 men to resecure the area.
During this period, Hooker was for the most part away from the army in Washington. He was under fire from many angles and needed to improve his image. The good publicity gained from his victory had been shorter lived than he had hoped. Hooker busied himself by making public appearances, speaking to political sponsors and doing interviews with press. Most importantly, he took some time to meet with the President. Despite some disagreement over how long the army needed to rest, Hooker and Lincoln established a very good rapport with each other. In the words of Hooker, Lincoln treated him as a father would treat his son. Dealing with Hallack was a more complicated manner, Hooker refused to meet with him in person. The two men had a long history of animosity that prevented them from working well together. They clashed constantly over the most minor of details.
While Hooker has stuck in the weeds, the Western generals were beginning to make a name for themselves.....