Hood, John Bell

Extract

Hood, John Bell (29 June 1831–30 August 1879), soldier, was born in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky, the son of John W. Hood, a physician, and Theodosia French. Hood grew up near Mount Sterling in Montgomery County, attending local schools and taught by private tutors. In 1849 he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; he had an undistinguished record there, graduating forty-fourth in a class of fifty-two in 1853. He received a commission as brevet second lieutenant in the Fourth U.S. Infantry and was stationed in California. Two years later Hood transferred to the Second U.S. Cavalry and accompanied that regiment to Texas. After serving well in an engagement with Indians, he was promoted to first lieutenant. Hood resigned his commission on 16 April 1861, after the secession of Texas, a state with which he had come to identify strongly. Because his native Kentucky did not leave the Union, Hood offered his services to the newly formed Confederate government as a Texan....