The History of Braxton Bragg
Braxton Bragg was born in 1817 and was a US army officer who later became a Confederate general in during the US civil war in 1862. Bragg graduated from WestPoint Military Academy and immediately served in Mexican War and the Seminole War (1835-1847). He was promoted to a major general but later relieved his duty after a defeat in Chattanooga War (Fowler, 2017). Bragg is best known for his work in the military and his contribution to the US civil war.
Braxton Bragg (1817-1876) was born in North Carolina from a humble family. His father was a contractor and his brother was a politician who helped him join West Point where he graduated among the top five of the fifty cadets in 1837 (Fowler, 2017). His first service was during the second Seminole War in Florida (1835-42) and later in the American Mexican War (1847). Bragg showed his bravery in the Mexican war and was promoted to Lt. Colonel (McWhiney, 2017). He then quit the military and became a farmer in Louisiana (1856-1861). Bragg resumed the military in 1862 as a General in command of the western department (McWhiney, 2017). He first invaded Kentucky but was unsuccessful. He later advanced his men to fight in the Battle of Perryville in 1862, but was unable to convert his advantage, and thus retreated to Tennessee.
In January 1963, the Persistent union pressured Bragg and forced him to retreat to Tullahoma. Bragg would continue to face struggle and during the summer of 1963, evacuated Chattanooga but with a considerable army behind him (McWhiney, 2017). He planned a counter-attack in Chickamauga and achieved one of his best victories, which left 30,000 casualties. In November 1963, Gen. S Grant routed Bragg’s Tennessee army from Missionary Ridge. Bragg resigned as a General in February 1964 but was appointed by President Jefferson Davis as a Military adviser in Richmond, due to his vast experience in the Military. In 1964, he took command of defenses in North Carolina and participated in the battle of Fort Fischer, which he lost. (McWhiney, 2017) He quit Military and served in Texas as an engineer until 1876 when he died.
Bragg is best known for his massive contribution in the civil war and his skills in the battle despite numerous defeats. His personality was exceptional and his decisions to retreat even with the advantage saved many lives.