Autograph letter signed "L. Polk / Lt Genl Cav'y" to General Braxton Bragg, concerning Bragg's request for confirmation that his officers had recommended a retreat from Murfreesboro.
Tullahoma [TN]: 31 January 1863. 1 p., folded sheet with integral blank (250 x 196 mm). Docketed by Bragg on verso of the blank. Condition : usual folds. a fine letter by the fighting bishop concerning the aftermath of bragg’s retreat from murfreesboro. On January 11, 1863, following Bragg’s diastrous conduct at the Battle of Murfreesboro (31 Dec 1862 - 2 Jan 1863), he composed a circular letter to his officers to confirm that his retreat was in fact under the advice of his men and asking whether they had lost confidence in his ability to command. This latter question being of such a delicate nature that Polk wrote Bragg asking him to clarify. Bragg, realizing that he had indeed lost the confidence of his officers, replied that he was only asking for a confirmation of the concensus for retreat. This tactful letter by Polk is as response to that reply. Polk writes: “I am in receipt of yours of the 30th, in reply to mine of the same date. In it you say your … circular should contain but one point of enquiry, and that was whether your corps and division commanders would give you for future reference a statement of what transpired between us in regard to the retreat from Murfreesboro. I know therefore and do say, that the opinions and counsel which I gave you on that subject prior to the retreat are those that are embodied in my endorsement of the work of my Division Commanders, Genrl’s Cheatham and Withers, of the 3d of Jany which are in your possession. I have to add that they were deliberately considered and are such as I would give again under the same circumstances.” Polk had indeed lost confidence in Bragg and concurrently to the circular had discussed with Johnston having him replaced. Indeed, in the weeks which followed this letter he wrote to Jefferson Davis on the same subject but to no avail. See Thomas L. Connelly’s Autumn of Glory (2001) chapters 3 and 4.
Autograph letter signed "L. Polk / Lt Genl Cav'y" to General Braxton Bragg, concerning Bragg's request for confirmation that his officers had recommended a retreat from Murfreesboro.
Tullahoma [TN]: 31 January 1863. 1 p., folded sheet with integral blank (250 x 196 mm). Docketed by Bragg on verso of the blank. Condition : usual folds. a fine letter by the fighting bishop concerning the aftermath of bragg’s retreat from murfreesboro. On January 11, 1863, following Bragg’s diastrous conduct at the Battle of Murfreesboro (31 Dec 1862 - 2 Jan 1863), he composed a circular letter to his officers to confirm that his retreat was in fact under the advice of his men and asking whether they had lost confidence in his ability to command. This latter question being of such a delicate nature that Polk wrote Bragg asking him to clarify. Bragg, realizing that he had indeed lost the confidence of his officers, replied that he was only asking for a confirmation of the concensus for retreat. This tactful letter by Polk is as response to that reply. Polk writes: “I am in receipt of yours of the 30th, in reply to mine of the same date. In it you say your … circular should contain but one point of enquiry, and that was whether your corps and division commanders would give you for future reference a statement of what transpired between us in regard to the retreat from Murfreesboro. I know therefore and do say, that the opinions and counsel which I gave you on that subject prior to the retreat are those that are embodied in my endorsement of the work of my Division Commanders, Genrl’s Cheatham and Withers, of the 3d of Jany which are in your possession. I have to add that they were deliberately considered and are such as I would give again under the same circumstances.” Polk had indeed lost confidence in Bragg and concurrently to the circular had discussed with Johnston having him replaced. Indeed, in the weeks which followed this letter he wrote to Jefferson Davis on the same subject but to no avail. See Thomas L. Connelly’s Autumn of Glory (2001) chapters 3 and 4.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
