Was Hooker Drunk at Chancellorsville

Now, it is common knowledge that Joseph Hooker was a drinker. But, new information is of the opinion that Hooker was not drunk at Chancellorsville. Unearthed in recent years is some things that point to Hooker not being drunk.

1. Hooker swore off liquor arely days before his Chancellorsville Campaign. This would explain his 'losing nerve' which migh have been withdrawls!

2. Hooker did not make clear choices and this is a sign of most alcholics going off the booze. They can't think clearly.

3. Before Chancellorsville, he was known as a stout fighter.

4. Hooker threw up violently during the battle of Chancellorsville, something that happens to addicts going off booze.

4. After Chancellorsville, during Chattanoga, he was again fighting like he once did.

5. Hooker's own reason why he lost gives us a clue to he was going through withdrawls: "I was not hurt by a shell and I was not drunk. For once I lost confidence in Hooker, and that is all there is to it." What man leaving his booze has faith in himself? He goes crazy because he is trying not to drink, and his body is going crazy on him because it has no liquor.

6. The War Committe itself asked if he was drunk, and one good Reverand Henry Ward Beecher stated that Hooker had abstained from alchol, and the only known treatment for his wond was a tiny bit of whiskey.

7. Colonel Sharpe of the Secret Service said that any man who said Hooker was drunk "lies through his teeth."

8. The ultimate testimonial: Darius Coach in his After Action Report, himself says that it was this very reason he lost: he wasn't drunk!

As such: Hooker was not drunk. He just tried to swear it off at the wrong time.