General Joseph Hooker was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He is best known for his role in the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863, where his forces faced off against General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army. Despite having a larger army, Hooker's troops were ultimately defeated, which was a significant setback for the Union. Hooker was born on November 13, 1814, in Hadley, Massachusetts. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1837 and served in the Mexican-American War. After the Civil War, he continued to serve in various military roles until his retirement in 1868. He passed away on October 31, 1879.