Who's worse: Bragg or Hood? - Page 5

custersluck13 · #41 07-21-2007, 07:55 PM

Until then, at least Hood had the respect of his men. In spades. I have never read anything to suggest the troops...nor most other officers, respected, liked or wanted to serve under Bragg. But that was to be the bane of the AOT...so many great, young commanders...Forrest, Clebourne, Wheeler, Morgan, Van Dorn, Breckinridge, Helm...but never could get a decent CnC.

richard · #42 07-21-2007, 09:06 PM

In making judgement as to who was worse of the two, I think that it comes down to the little things. Bragg in MHO made far more mistakes in his '62 and '63 command than Hood could have make. Bragg did not trust his Generals, and if they had no West Point connections, then they had no say in the matter. Take Hoovers Gap in June of '63. There is no way that a division should not have held that gap.

There was also no reason that Bragg should not have driven Rosecrans into the Tennessee River at Chattanooga. Forrest was so mad at Bragg for not doing so and even Mr. Cravens who was sitting on his verandah watching the union troops retreat could not understand why it was not done.

Hood feel victom to the saying "do something even it it is wrong"

In my book, Bragg was far worse than Hood.

J_Man0507 · #43 07-21-2007, 11:41 PM

Richard, you make a good point. Bragg should have pressed when he had the chance, but he failed to do it. However, I am still of the opinion that it is still a toss up. Both were, in my opinion, poor commanders of the AoT. Hood I think would have been great as a division or even a corps commander. As has been pointed out, Lee even told President Davis this. Bragg loved his troops, who didn't love him, and hated his generals, who hated him. He had no real control over his troops. The reallly just seemed to grudgingly go where he told them too. Cleburne would have been a good commander I think, but I don't see that ever happening, especially after his letter suggesting that blacks should be allowed to enlist to fight, to solve the manpower problem. Really, the only other real good commander that was there was Joe Johnston. He might have been slow at times (ok, alot of the time) but he still was an able commander, and commanded the respect of his men. I still am not able to choose which was worse out of the two though.

custersluck13 · #44 07-22-2007, 10:01 AM

J Man0507

My main question as to your post is, on what basis do you say "Bragg loved his troops?" As far as I have been able to extrapulate, Bragg loved Bragg. For example, I know for a fact, based up letters quoted in the book "The Orphan Brigade" by W.C. Davis, there is ample room for thought he activiley despised and coveted Breckinridge and thus, may have been trying to sacrifice the KY troops likewise. Certainly, the brigade seems to have thought this, as they wrote of it. He was a great martinet, and often unjustly so. He usually would not pardon a troop after a death sentence was proclaimed for some infraction, even though it was usually done elsewhere. I picture nother but a weak, bitter old man, jealously guarding his stature and legacy and willing to walk over anyone who may have gotten in the way of it. Unless I am missing something here, I dont see it. Custersluck13

J_Man0507 · #45 07-22-2007, 04:05 PM

Custersluck,

The name of the book I read escapes me. I think it was one that I checked out during college for a class and used it and that was something mentioned in the book. I know I don't own it, because I went through my books and couldn't find the quote. Other than that, I can't tell you the title. I do remember that it said that Bragg couldn't understand why his troops hated him, because he did all he could (in his opinion) for them. He was a general put in his position because he was a friend of Davis, and not on any real merit. I agree wholeheartedly that he was a martinet and that he loved his position of authority, one that he didn't deserve. I haven't gotten to read much on the western theatre of the war. If you know of any good books on that, I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Especially on this subject, because it is an interesting on indeed.

Susan Sweet · #46 07-23-2007, 12:27 AM

Try Tennessee's Forgotten Warriors: Frank Cheatham and his Confederate Division by Chistopher Losson We read it in May before Franklin Muster . Outstanding book aboutthe Army of Tennessee and their problems with Bragg and Hood . I don't much care for either one. More I read about them the more I dislike them book. Joe Johnston may have been slow but his men at least respected him .

custersluck13 · #47 07-25-2007, 08:42 PM

J Man

I really liked the personal account of life in the KY BGDE by Johnny Jackman...Dont have it handy, but you should be able to Google it. Very good account by a man who was there. For a good overview, the Time Life Company puts out several series which are all informative and entertaining. I liked em!

J_Man0507 · #48 07-25-2007, 11:22 PM

Thanks Custersluck! I know we have one of the Time Life series lying about the house somewhere. I will have to check out the the KY BGDE. Amazon, here I come. Thanks again!

J_Man

custersluck13 · #49 07-26-2007, 05:07 PM

J Man....Youre most welcome, brother. Those series are usually in the library too, which is cool...the Time Life site will tell you if they are still in print. I just finished "The Orphan Brigade" by William C. Davis...really good...Id like to know if anyone has any good leads on books written by any union soldiers in the west! Its my fav theatre to study.

SpartanGSG · #50 07-26-2007, 07:11 PM

Hey there Ole how are ya? Gone frequently these days but never far away and still like to put my two cents in every now and then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ole

Well said, Spartan. (Good to see you back aboard, by the way.)

Hood had a style and that was stand-up knock-down brawl. No finesse. Just whang on them till they fold. Lemme see...was there a Union equivalent? Hmmmmm.

ole