[Cleburne]

Well, that was my point! Hood had the golden chance to wipe out Schofield-who may have been a worse commander than Hood-but Hood squandered it. The only reason Hood had the opportunity was Schofield's own stupidity. In fact, Cleburne's Division broke through Schofields' lines at Franklin, and the Union line was only held because a fiery little fellow name Opdyke (sp?) disregarded orders and moved in to support the flailing Union line, thus stopping Cleburne's men and effectively finishing the Army of Tennessee as a fighting force. And Forrest's attack was unable to break through for an excellent reason-his men had no ammuntion left! He repeatedly asked for more ammunition but was denied by Hood. Had it not been for Forrest's desperate rear-guard action after Nashville, the whole Army of Tennessee would have ceased to exist in one blow. Wilson, commanding the Federal calvary, was good, but was not quite equal to Forrest.

[exmarine]

Forrest was a brilliant calvary commander. Hood's attack at Franklin was stupid - it was a miracle they came as close as they did. In the process, Cleburne was killed - the best division commander in the southern army. Hood and all others who refused to discard the frontal assault doctrine were bad leaders. That is precisely why the best generals of the Civil War used maneuver warfare: Lee, Jackson, Forrest, Sherman. Note that Sherman just kept going around Johnston's army on the way to Atlanta? That is what Hood should have done at Franklin - go around. Their mistake was not putting Forrest in charge of the entire army at that point. He was the best commander they had at that time, although I believe Taylor could also have done a good job because, unlike Hood, he learned from his experiences.

[WhiskeyPapa]

The only reason Hood had the opportunity was Schofield's own stupidity. In fact, Cleburne's Division broke through Schofields' lines at Franklin, and the Union line was only held because a fiery little fellow name Opdyke (sp?) disregarded orders and moved in to support the flailing Union line, thus stopping Cleburne's men and effectively finishing the Army of Tennessee as a fighting force.

Reckon that's the same Opdyke who has a big monument at Chickamauga. His men were "Opdyke's Tigers", if memory serves. Must have been an interesting guy.

Walt