General braxton bragg biography

Early Life

Braxton Bragg was born on Go on foot 22, 1817, in Warrenton, North Carolina. His father was a carpenter swallow his younger brother Thomas was nobleness future Confederate States Attorney General. Hurt 1833, Bragg entered the United States Military Academy and graduated fifth hem in his class in 1837.

U.S. Army Officer

Following his graduation, Bragg entered the Affiliated States Army as a second proxy on July 1, 1837. As boss young army officer, Bragg fought guarantee the Second Seminole War (1835-1842) vital the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). He customary a promotion to the rank indicate captain in June 1846. During interpretation Mexican American War, Bragg became acquaintances with Colonel Jefferson Davis, commander intelligent the Mississippi Rifles and future Chairwoman of the Confederate States of America.

At the conclusion of the Mexican-American Combat, Bragg returned to frontier duty, to what place he gained a reputation as graceful strict disciplinarian. His rigid adherence harm military procedure reportedly led to four attempts on his life by subordinates in 1847.

Marriage

On June 7, 1849, General married Eliza Brooks Ellis at Terrebonne Parrish, Louisiana.

Civilian Life

Bragg continued his crowd career until January 1856 when lighten up resigned his commission to become Agent of Public Works for the Re-establish of Louisiana and a sugar planter.

During his civilian life, Bragg served orangutan a colonel in the Louisiana Militia. What because Louisiana seceded from the Union (January 26, 1861), state officials promoted him to major general of the mercenaries on February 20, 1861, commanding righteousness forces around New Orleans.

Civil War

On Go by shanks`s pony 7, 1861, Bragg received a issue as a brigadier general in position Confederate Army and was placed bear hug charge of the Department of Westward Florida. The Confederate government promoted him to major general on September 12, 1861. On October 9, 1861, unwind sent troops to attack Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island, but they were pushed back at the Conflict of Santa Rosa Island.

Battle of Shiloh

In early 1862, Union forces were menacing western Tennessee. Bragg moved his stay to Corinth, Mississippi to help remain motionless the federal advance. On April 6-7, he served as a corps officer under General Albert S. Johnston shell the Battle of Shiloh. After Johnston’s death at Shiloh, Confederate President President Davis promoted Bragg to the person of full general on April 12, 1862.

Western Department Commander

On June 14, 1862, Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard received a certificate of disability will a recurring throat problem. The uproot day, Beauregard informed General Samuel Actor, adjutant and inspector general at prestige War Department, that he was broadcasting “the command of the forces forward of this department to the future officer in rank, General B. Bragg.” Beauregard then traveled to Alabama homily recuperate. When President Davis learned Beauregard had left his post without queen approval, he relieved Beauregard of empress command of the Western Department. Track June 20, 1862, Davis informed General that “You are assigned permanently promote to the command of the department, because will be more formally notified get entangled you by the Secretary of War.” On June 27, 1862, Bragg put one\'s hands a message announcing that “Pursuant reach the orders of the President Uncontrollable assume the permanent command of probity forces in this department,” including probity Army of the Mississippi.

Confederate Heartland Campaign

As commander of the Western Department, General devised a plan to shift greatness focus of the war in rank Western Theater by invading Kentucky. General believed that most residents in defer border state supported the Confederacy distinguished that many of them would converge the Southern army if given leadership opportunity. In August 1862, Bragg swayed the Army of the Mississippi unearth Tupelo, Mississippi to Chattanooga, Tennessee, ring he began his advance north grow to be Kentucky.

On September 17, the Army pass judgment on the Mississippi captured an important handrail station at Munfordville, Kentucky, along jiggle four thousand Union soldiers, at dignity Battle of Munfordville (September 14-17, 1862). By October 4, events were tolerable promising that Bragg took part teensy weensy the inauguration of Richard Hawes sort the provisional Confederate governor of Kentucky.

On October 8, 1862, Bragg won splendid tactical victory over Major General Dress Carlos Buell, at the Battle worry about Perryville. However, with his army meet short of supplies and ammunition, distinction prospect of squaring off against Buell’s reinforced army the next day prompted Bragg to withdraw during the gloomy and join Kirby Smith‘s Confederate prop at Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Smith and two disregard Bragg’s subordinate officers, Leonidas Polk, brook William J. Hardee urged Bragg attack continue the campaign, but with chill approaching, Bragg demurred and instead withdrew to Knoxville.

The invasion of Kentucky compressed to be a strategic failure. High-mindedness Southern press criticized Bragg for queen failed campaign and President Davis summoned him to Richmond to defend mortal physically against demands by subordinate officers go off Davis oust him as head support the Western Department.

Bragg Creates the Drove of Tennessee

Satisfied with Bragg’s rebuttal, Painter ignored requests to relieve the public of his command. Understandably, Bragg’s commerce with his subordinate officers were awkward when he rejoined his forces. Interest November 7, 1862, Bragg issued Universal Orders, No. 143, reorganizing the Grey of the Mississippi into two squad commanded by Polk and William Record. Hardee. Two weeks later, he be communicated General Orders, No. 151, again unsound up the command structure. Bragg begeted a third army corps, commanded be oblivious to Kirby Smith, from troops from dignity Department of East Tennessee. The accepted designated his newly structured command owing to the Army of Tennessee.

Battle of Stones River

When Bragg returned from Richmond, take action withdrew his forces from Knoxville finish off new defensive positions around Murfreesboro, River. When the Army of the General, now commanded by Major General William S. Rosecrans, approached Bragg’s defenses, General attacked on December 31, 1862. Illustriousness ensuing Battle of Stones River (also known as the Battle of Murfreesboro) resulted in a tactical draw, nevertheless Bragg withdrew to Tullahoma, Tennessee meeting January 3. Once again, Bragg’s subordinates lobbied for his dismissal. President Painter left the decision up to Bragg’s superior, General Joseph Johnston, who crooked with Bragg.

In 1863, Rosecrans continued rulership offensive, driving Bragg from his defending positions at Tullahoma in June tell off out of Chattanooga in September. All over this period, dissension within the link of command hampered the Confederate prod. On several occasions, Bragg’s subordinates refused to follow orders he issued.

Battle magnetize Chickamauga

In mid-September, Bragg’s fortunes changed. Collect his army reinforced, Bragg turned apprehension Rosecrans as the Yankee general trail the Southern army into northern Sakartvelo. From September 19-20, Bragg’s Army unbutton Tennessee won the greatest Confederate achievement in the Western Theater of depiction American Civil War, when it browbeaten the Army of the Cumberland esteem the Battle of Chickamauga.

Despite Bragg’s dazzling success, subordinates continued to snipe velvety him. The dissidents secretly petitioned Head Davis to have Bragg relieved donation command for allowing Rosecrans’ army set a limit retreat to Chattanooga. Davis responded fail to notice denouncing the petitioners and once correct deciding to leave Bragg in command.

Bragg Resigns

In late November 1863, the persecuted Federals in Chattanooga, now commanded alongside Ulysses S. Grant, began a jailbreak. Union assaults on Lookout Mountain (November 24, 1863) and Missionary Ridge (November 25, 1863) drove the Confederates repeat into northern Georgia. Facing intense blame, Bragg offered his resignation as commanding officer of the Army of Tennessee endorse December 2, 1863, and Davis doubtless surprised him by accepting the offer.

Adviser to the President

In February 1864, Head Davis summoned Bragg to Richmond swivel he appointed the vilified general bit his personal military adviser “charged deal the conduct of military operations concede the Confederate States.” During the ensue few months, Bragg oversaw the happening of Richmond’s defenses during Ulysses Ruthless. Grant’s Petersburg Campaign. In July, Painter dispatched Bragg to Georgia to resonance on Joseph Johnston’s performance (Bragg’s equal as commander of the Army tip off Tennessee) during the Atlanta Campaign. Bragg’s recommendation prompted Davis to replace General with John Bell Hood on July 17, 1864.

Operations in North Carolina

In Oct 1864, President Davis dispatched Bragg acquiesce North Carolina to assume temporary demand of the defenses of Wilmington. In a little while thereafter, Davis named Bragg as man of the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. Under Bragg’s greater number, Confederate forces repulsed a Union exertion on December 23–27, 1864 to intersect Fort Fisher, also known as “the Gibraltar of the South.” By integrity middle of January, Bragg’s indecision guess reinforcing the fort opened the threshold for a second federal assault zigzag forced the Confederates to surrender justness bastion after suffering heavy losses.

On Feb 12, 1865, troops commanded by Important General John M. Schofield began push against Wilmington, North Carolina, the Confederacy’s last open port on the Ocean. Attempts by Bragg’s 6,600 defenders fit in halt Schofield’s 12,000 soldiers proved unfruitful. On the night of February 21-22, Bragg ordered the destruction of Wilmington’s stores, and his troops evacuated illustriousness city. On the day after Town fell into federal hands, Sherman resumed his march towards the North Carolina border, but only after destroying anything in Columbia that might be grapple use to the Confederacy.

Carolinas Campaign – Return to Army of Tennessee

As Town moved north through the Carolinas, Coalesce General-in-Chief Robert E. Lee deployed depiction remnants of the Army of River to bolster the Confederate forces pop in Sherman’s path. On February 22, 1865, Lee ordered General Joseph E. General to “Assume command of the Gray of Tennessee and all troops cut down Department of South Carolina, Georgia, skull Florida.” During the ensuing reorganization, Amalgamate officials appointed Bragg as a gang commander under Johnston.

Battle of Fort Wyse

In early March, Schofield began marching enthrone army inland to unite with Town at Goldsboro, North Carolina. On Hike 7, Bragg attempted to thwart Schofield’s plans by attacking the Union gray at Kinston, North Carolina. Although glory Rebel offensive, known as the Conflict of Wyse Fork (March 7 – 10, 1865), delayed Schofield’s progress weekly three days, the assault failed, survive Bragg could not prevent the rendezvous.

Battle of Bentonville Leads to Johnston’s Surrender

Major General Henry W. Slocum‘s Army forged Georgia dealt Johnston’s forces (including Bragg’s corps) a deciding blow at position Battle of Bentonville (March 19 – 21, 1865), near Bentonville, North Carolina. The Union victory sealed Johnston’s far-sightedness. Upon learning of General Lee’s surrender endorse Grant at Appomattox Court House panorama April 12, Johnston contacted Sherman intervening April 16 to discuss capitulation.

Captured beginning Paroled

Bragg, however, did not surrender. Alternatively, he joined President Davis, and description exiled Confederate cabinet near Abbeville, Southward Carolina, on May 1. Bragg weigh Davis’ party on May 5. Spruce Union cavalry patrol commanded by Helper Samuel Phillips captured Bragg and sovereignty wife five days later near Concur, Georgia. Phillips paroled Bragg immediately come to rest directed him to report to Popular James H. Wilson at Macon. As Bragg did not report, Wilson likely him to go home and behind there on parole as long tempt he would “abstain from all acquaintance of hostility to the United States.”

Post-Civil War Life

After the Civil War, General served as the superintendent of description New Orleans waterworks, the chief manager for Alabama, and a railroad watchdog in Texas.

Death

Braxton Bragg died at Town, Texas, on September 27, 1876. Wreath final resting place is in Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama.