2020-01 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/18/2020
BRAGG, Braxton (1817-1876) Confederate general who led the Army of Tennessee into Kentucky, was defeated by Rosecrans at Stone's River and repaid the favor at Chickamauga. He was then driven from Chattanooga by Grant and was relieved of command. Autograph Letter Signed, "Braxton Bragg", 3p. octavo, Warm Springs, Georgia, December 14, 1863, addressed to General Marcus J. Wright, and reads "I have your note of the 5th, and assure you the sentiment contained is sincerely reciprocated. In any command it may be my fortune to exercise I shall desire the support of the true and generous friends who ever stood by me in the Army of Tenn. and no one is esteemed more highly among them than yourself. No idea is entertained of the intentions of the govt., but I believe, from what I hear, that I could do more good by returning to my old place than in any other. Even the absence, so far, has produced a marked effect, and some have found the bed of roses well set with thorns. And that it is easier to condemn than remedy. It is now apparent to all, and it is what I desired to establish by the change, that the whole clamor against me was by a few individuals of rank and their immediate partisans, who were actuated by one of two motives, Ambition and Revenge. The army never joined in either of these feelings, still the impression had been made through the country & reacted on the army to a certain extent, to counteract that was to a great extent the cause of my act. My health, too, was very much impaired, and I saw a chance for respite, knowing the enemy would not advance on us for a long time. But the truth is, after all, General, as well told boldly and openly. No man, whatever his power, can command an army successfully made up as ours are, with the support of his generals. I so told the President, and consenting to try his plan of conciliation, predicted its failure. Men who are so ambitious or so venal as to forget their country in such a struggle as this and turn their energies to malignant detraction or personal advancement are not to be managed by conciliation. Officers high in rank, who can get drunk & stay drunk for several days during such a disaster as we sustained, have not the character or moral courage to deserve success in such a cause. And if they triumph at all, it will be to wear the laurels of better men. Ready to do all and suffer all personally, I would not consent to a continued warfare with such men, when I knew I was but half sustained by my gov't. Our success is all I desire; if they can better achieve it, let them do so and reap the reward. But what was intended as a mere not of cordial acknowledgment, is becoming too long. Believe me, General, as ever Your friend Very truly Braxton Bragg…"
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