Maj. General Joseph Hooker
On January 25, 1863, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker assumed command of the Union AOP. On that day 85,000 officers and men of their 135,000 man army were “unaccounted for.”
Placed in command of a defeated and demoralized force, they began a complete turnaround in which the men would receive better food and medical care and supplies; furloughs; more timely pay; more effective commanders; and improved ordnance and logistics systems. Improved animal care and greater thought to effective individual combat loads of food and ammunition received study. Individual and unit pride were improved with battle-honors on flags and unique division and corps badges. Discipline was improved through increased inspections, reviews, and timely courts-martial for substandard and disloyal officers and soldiers. A cavalry corps (uniting all cavalry in one large organization) and a military intelligence organization (collecting and analyzing battle information to produce intelligence) were organized. Pack trains were organized and baggage wagons were reduced in numbers.
