<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>BRAXTON BRAGG</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>No. 895 · Class of 1837</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Died September 27, 1876, at Galveston, Texas, aged 59 years.</strong></p>
<p>Methinks the mention of the name of BRAXTON BRAGG will be likely to awaken interesting memories in the bosom of all of his classmates of 1837, as well as in the minds of all of his countrymen who admire and sympathize with magnificent achievements, for which that officer deservedly held a conspicuous position in the public estimation through many years of service. The former will recognize him in his character of "plebe" when he entered the Academy, and of "cadet" while associated with him, during four years of probation, preparatory to entering upon his career of manhood and life; and the latter for his glorious services throughout many years of his life. His classmates will remember him as almost the youngest member of their class, tall, ungainly in his gait, uncouth in manner, but bright and engaging from his decidedly intellectual countenance, although apparently but little trained in the habits of study, to which he was soon to be subjected. He was also remarked from the beginning for his manliness, independence and unbending integrity. Free to express his opinions on all occasions and all subjects, utterly regardless of its influence on himself, he appeared to be conscious of his own rectitude, and therefore free in approving or condemning the acts of others. To those who enjoyed his more intimate acquaintance this harshness of character disappeared, and he appeared to them a genial, generous, brave and clever companion. To others of his associates he sometimes appeared brusque even to rudeness. This was Cadet Bragg as he appeared to the writer on making his acquaintance soon after admission to the Military Academy, and after passing four years together, no change was discovered deserving mention, except that the Cadet developed in physical and intellectual strength and character until the time of his graduation, which was fifth in standing in a class of unusual size. This was considered highly honorable to young Bragg, as his preparation had been limited, and he had won his standing on the Academic Rolls without having been considered a laborious student. He acquired knowledge easily, and never forgot it, and at the end of his Academic term was considered by his classmates, as a young officer equal, if not superior, to any member of their class, although several removes from its head. On leaving the Academy, he was promoted to the Third Artillery, and accompanied that regiment to the war in Florida, to the Cherokee Nation, to the military occupation of Texas, and soon after to the war in Mexico. He always sought service in the field, or on the frontiers, regarding that as the legitimate part of the profession to which he belonged. He was breveted Captain for distinguished conduct in the defense of Fort Brown, Texas, and afterwards Major for gallant and meritous conduct in the several conflicts at Monterey, Mexico, and Brevet Lieut-Colonel in the Battle of Buena Vista.</p>
<p>He aided General Taylor our heaven born General materially in establishing the superiority and prestige of our army over that of Mexico, and which resulted in an uninterrupted series of successes throughout our war with Mexico, not only under the command of General Taylor, but likewise under that of General Scott. Of the last named battle, that of Buena Vista, General Taylor says in his Official Report: "In the meantime the firing had partially ceased upon the principal field. The enemy seemed to confine his efforts to the protection of his artillery, and I had left the plateau for a moment when I was called thither by a very heavy musketry fire. On regaining that position I discovered that our infantry (Illinois and Second Kentucky) had engaged a greatly superior force of the enemy evidently his reserve and that they had been overwhelmed by numbers. The moment was critical; Captain O'Brien with two pieces had sustained the heavy charge to the very last, and was finally obliged to leave his guns on the field, his infantry support being entirely routed. Captain Bragg, who had just arrived from the left, was ordered at once into battery, without any infantry to support him, and at the imminent risk of losing his guns, this officer came rapidly into action, the Mexican line being but a few yards from the muzzle of his pieces. The first discharge of canister caused the enemy to hesitate; the second and third drove him back in disorder, and saved the day." These exalted words coming from General Taylor, and their truthfulness and justice recognized by every one on that field, would seem to fill the measure of military fame of this young officer to overflowing, as the writer can recall no instance in the annals of warfare, ancient or modern, where a young officer of the rank of Captain saved a pivotal battle like that of Buena Vista. We all remember that this peerless conduct electrified the Nation to its very centre.</p>
<p>The writer would here gladly conclude his brief sketch of an old friend's service, but in concluding will endeavor to refer to his service kindly, and more in sorrow than anger.</p>
<p>On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, General Bragg, being a southern born citizen, espoused the side of the Confederacy. The issue as we all know was slavery, or no slavery, throughout our country. When we reflect that that institution was bequeathed us by our Fathers, and had been recognized by our Constitution, and in fact had become a part of the Nation itself, however abhorent and antagonistic to the letter and spirit of our Government; many of our people having their fortunes invested in slaves, having been familiar with the system and its practices from the beginning, indeed having no knowledge of any other form of Government; it seems to me that our condemnation of our countrymen, and the circumstances should be measured and forgiven in our people for having espoused the side of slavery. Indeed, I am free to confess that I would have felt less respect for my erring countrymen had they been less sincere and heroic in the defense of their property, and this in the full view of the fearful loss of life it cost the Nation to eliminate it from our Government. It was the curse of curses, and in my judgment we have cause to be thankful our losses were no greater in ridding ourselves forever of this monstrous evil. In considering this matter we should remember the words of the poet, that "To err is human, not to, is divine." A terrible war resulted, marked by great heroism and determination on the side of both parties, but which finally resulted in the extinguishment of human slavery, not only on this Continent, but probably through its influence and example throughout the civilized world.</p>
<p>While this question was agitating the whole Nation, Lieutenant-Colonel Bragg was all the time advancing in his professional knowledge, and acquiring a consideration with his brother officers which was extended to him through life. He was eminently patriotic, devoted to his studies, studying the welfare of his troops, and so far as the writer knows, found no one to impeach his honor or character in any respect. The latter was almost faultless.</p>
<p>During this time, and even previous to it, he was the author of many essays relating to his profession and other subjects, able and practical, and always free from the sickening egotism which fill the works of some of our more recent Army Authors. Early in the Rebellion General Bragg was tendered a high position in the Confederate Service, which he continued to hold with marked ability until after the Battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., from which he retired under the advice of his Corps Commanders, but which seems to have given great discontent to the army serving under him, and to the Confederacy. The complaints were loud enough to be heard in Richmond, when General Joe Johnson was ordered to proceed to General Bragg's old quarters and investigate the allegations brought against him. General Johnson reported in substance that General Bragg should not be relieved from his command, and that his services were indispensably necessary to the Confederacy. The full report of General Johnson, if one was made, has never been read by the writer. But this difficulty with his officers seems to have left an impression upon General Bragg which continued throughout the Rebellion. He may also have been influenced by the manner in which he saw the affairs of the Confederate Government administered, as at this time he may have discovered its tottering foundation from the peculiar character of its Chief and his Cabinet, and the want of harmony and discipline among its higher Officers in their army. Sometime after Murfreesboro, General Bragg fell back and took position at Chattanooga, the gateway to Georgia and East Tenn., from which General Rosecrans advanced to dislodge him. Dividing his army into two parts, the smaller to advance into the valley of the Tennessee River above Chattanooga, and the main portion below that point, and the country to the south in which he was to operate being mountainous, he subdivided this army into several slender columns, and struck for General Bragg's line of supply; and when they had advanced sufficiently to threaten the latter's depots, General Bragg let go his hold of Chattanooga, and threw his army to a position to threaten and destroy in detail General Rosecrans forces, as they debouched from the gaps in the mountains. The retrograde movement of General Bragg appears to have been misapprehended by General Rosecrans for a retreat to Rome, which induced the last named officer to spread his army over a widely extended territory, and his several corps were oftentimes beyond supporting distance of each other, presenting General Bragg with many opportunities of attacking single corps with his entire army. At one time General Bragg with his army was nearer to each of Rosecrans corps, than they were to each other, almost inviting the Rebel Commander to attack him. Opportunities, I presume, never before presented to an enlightened commander. On learning his true condition, General Rosecrans hastened to concentrate his army, and says in his official report that it had been a matter of life and death to effect the concentration of his army. But the Rebel Commander, conscious of his relation to his adversary as he says, issued orders to attack which were never complied with, and made no successful effort to take advantage, or cripple him. Subsequent to this preliminary manoeuvring resulted the Battle of Chickamauga, in which the Union troops were worsted, but which resulted in having gained the position of Chattanooga, the sole object of the campaign. Unquestionably General Bragg's army had suffered severely from that encounter; but from causes unknown to the writer he failed to follow the Union Army on its retreat to their new position, although his army had received heavy reinforcements since he left that strong position. In no part of these operations can the writer recognize the characteristics General Bragg had displayed in his earlier campaigns, and he is utterly at a loss to account for them. Subsequently, General Bragg invested the army of the Cumberland in Chattanooga, and while it was being reinforced, first by 25,000 men from the army of the Potomac, and subsequently by the army of the Tennessee all of which was as well known to the Confederate commander as to ourselves he dispatched from his army General Longstreet, to attack and destroy Burnside's command at Knoxville, dividing his command at the very moment we were doubling and almost trebling our own.</p>
<p>The cause of these strange and ill-advised movements still remains unaccounted for, but could result in but one end defeat. Such strategy must necessarily change the result of battles, even if successful, and even change the whole character of campaigns.</p>
<p>I am sorry to have to allude to these defects in the military career of the gentlemen of whom I am writing, and only do so as they are already matters of history. General Bragg seems to have retained the confidence of the head of the Confederacy through all of these misfortunes, and when superseded in command of the army, was called and virtually appointed Chief of Staff to that gentleman, which position he continued to hold to the end of the Rebellion.</p>
<p>Before concluding this brief sketch of the life and character of General Braxton Bragg, I may be permitted to call your attention to the two characters, in which the subject is made to appear. Up to the Battle of Murfreesboro, his career was as conspicuous as his most intimate friends could desire; after that event, all of his battles seemed to have been followed with criminations, and re-criminations, for which the writer is unable to satisfy himself on their solution. Hence he will make no effort to satisfy others.</p>
<p>General Bragg's army after he was relieved, passed into the hands of that gifted commander, General Joe Johnston, when it performed prodigies of heroism and valor.</p>
<p>Adversity seems to have as great an influence over commanders of armies, as over persons holding less prominent positions in civil life.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"> J. Hooker, Major-General</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://usmalibrary.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/aogreunion/id/7836">Annual Report, June 14, 1877, pp. 28�33 · U.S. Military Academy Library</a></p>
</body>
</html>