Joseph Hooker (November 13, 1814 â October 31, 1879) was an American Civil War general for the Union, chiefly remembered for his decisive defeat by Confederate General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863.
Although his military practices are often questioned, his love of whiskey and women cannot be. His Army reputation as a âladiesâ manâ began early in his career and he was referred to as the âHandsome Captainâ. The general kept morale high among his troops by inviting a posse of ladies to fraternize with the gents. At first, the women became known as “Hooker’s brigade” or “Hooker’s girls” and later became just plain “Hookersâ. The legendary General Hooker liked to carry on so much with women and whiskey that he popularized the word Hooker to its common use.
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