Who's worse: Bragg or Hood?

[cw1865]

Originally Posted by Nico_Davout

R.E.Lee could give one word to T.Jackson and he knew what to do with enemy. Bragg could have sent a full order to Polk and he could simply disobey this order and yet it is said that this is 'all Bragg`s fault'. Some people are completely un-cooperative. General Polk was such person from the moment he has entered Columbus (KY) altough he was said not to do it.

Clearly the problem is that Polk does not respect Bragg's authority. First and foremost, Bragg is ten years Polk's junior. But nevertheless the problem is still Braggs. While its Polk's job to obey, it is also Bragg's job to be obeyed. Something about the man is not commanding respect. Whereas Lee is an inspirational leader, Bragg is not.

[ole]

Problem is that AoT was not in Bragg`s hand entirely. Both Polk and Hardee were mutinying their division commanders against Bragg. How can one work with such subordinates?

The problem is, Nico, that the AoT ought to have been in Bragg's hand. He had his problems with Polk, Hardee and Davis, but he proved incapable of dealing with them effectively.

I will give you that, with some cooperation, he might have done better. The real general, however, finds a way to get over all that and manage.

I will also give you that Davis' conflicting loyalties and orders did create major impediments, but I will also submit that Bragg was his own worst enemy. You really can't put his failures off on Davis, Polk, Hardee, et al.

By the way, welcome back. We've missed you.

ole

[ole]

Something about the man is not commanding respect. Whereas Lee is an inspirational leader, Bragg is not.

Excellent observation, CW. There were any number of abrasive, contentious personalities on both sides. Sherman was excitable and erratic; Grant was taciturn and often remote, Sheridan was fiery and pugnacious. They all had subordinates who disappeared. Bragg's did not. Davis?

ole

[Nico_Davout]

Originally Posted by cw1865

Clearly the problem is that Polk does not respect Bragg's authority.

Polk did not respect ASJohnston`a authority too, altough the latter one was his friend. When ASJ ordered Polk to sent an engineer to Fort Donelson he failed to do this and said that he has no free officer (altough all three engineer officers in the west were in Polk`s department and ASJ had none).

Originally Posted by cw1865

While its Polk's job to obey, it is also Bragg's job to be obeyed.

True, but Bragg could hardly do to force Polk to obey his orders. When he tried to get rid of him and court martial after Kentucky campaign, Polk rallied his supporters against army commander.

Lee was obeyed because in ANV there was ALWAYS a respect for army commander. Soldiers did know their army leader - Beauregard, J.Johnston, Lee - and trust them (or fast victory make them believe).
In AoT there was little respect for army commander (and little victories...). ASJ was known only to soldiers who were at Bowling Green area in 1861/62 and after his defeat he has lost in public view. Beauregard and Bragg were strangers. In AoT espirit du corps was created only at corps level - Hardee and Polk, those leaders were with soldiers from the beginning. That did not help army commander to gain respect from subordinates.

[ole]

Virtually all these guys who respected and disrespected their commanders were West Pointers. There was no sectional differentiation between ANV and AoT officers.

There is a similarity in here, though, and it is present in the officer corps on both sides. Officers who gave Lee a problem disappeared from his sight, to reappear somewhere else in the south in a minor command. Officers who displeased Grant or Sherman or Lincoln disappeared, sometimes reappearing in a frontier post or watching occupied territory.

Officers who displeased Bragg were protected by Davis and remained in their nettlesome and uncooperative positions. Lee had Davis' ear. Grant had Lincoln's ear. Bragg had Davis' ear, but Davis' buddies remained immune from Bragg's censure. Bragg's problems with his lieutenants were sanctioned by Davis, but the end remains the same: Bragg was not suited for the command of an army. Whether anyone would have been suited under the circumstances is another discussion.

ole

[larry_cockerham]

Had Bragg and Hood been Union officers, would this post have been titled: "Who's BETTER, Hood or Bragg"? Just a thought. I'm sure there's no bias in this group.

[Nico_Davout]

I cant not to agree with many of Your points guys. Still I believe that if Bragg had got better subordinates (especially get rid of Polk ) his shortcomings would not be so seen. (again sorry for my English).

When I finnaly get his biography I will certainly write more in his defence . Currently I am finishing J.Johnston aka "I`ll retreat instead" biography which I feel was the worst Confederate full general. Next is ASJohnston bio.

[cw1865]

We all have our favorites including those we love to hate. It seems Polk is your pet peeve, that is fine by me.

[DHPatrick]

Though born and raised in Kentucky, Hood was considered a Texan by most. Since I'm a Texan and am totally unbiased in the matter - I'd have to say Bragg was the lessor commander of the two.

[timewalker]

Interesting, however, that two of the biggest army installations in the United States today are named after Hood and Bragg.