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However, according the Shelby Foote, it's believed that Hood ordered the attacks at Franklin in order to discipline his army for their poor performance at Spring Hill a day or two before. The result was over 6,000 casualties and what was left of the Army of Tennessee was basically destroyed as a fighting unit.

The following site says something similar. Hood.

Nice music on the site.

Same sort of summary that I've seen several times:

Some believe he was mad at his men for allowing Schofield to escape from Spring Hill to Franklin.

I've never tried to trace down the source for the claim, but I wonder if it actually came from something Hood said. The problem is compounded by his gross incompetence; was it disciplinary, or just a stupid move? Hood's career was pretty rife with the latter, and it would be no surprise to learn that his men would generate rumors like this; not too difficult to believe that even Hood might have started the rumor to excuse a bad tactical decision.

The site doesn't source it, but maybe it's worth looking into some more. If I find time today (not likely, but who knows?) I'll see what I can find.