Bragg Bragg promoted to full general without army command

[Mark Harden]

Full General rank in the Confederate army was seemingly intended for commanders of armies (or districts). Yet Bragg was promoted to full general on April 12, 1862, while he was still subordinate to Beauregard and no army command was available. What's up with that? I know of no other full general lromotion that was not made with the intent of assigning army command. Even Hood when replacing Johnston was assigned as a temporary full general (after Nashville he was reduced in rank back to Lt Gen). Bragg did not take over the Army of Mississippi (which he renamed the Army of Tennessee) until June of 1862.

 

[Mark Harden]

The timing may be a clue:

April 6: Beauregard sends premature message of victory to Richmond
April 7: Beauregard has to admit defeat to Richmond
April 12: Bragg promoted to full general

Recall that Beauregard was sent west because he had caused dissension in Virginia due to his excessive claims of responsibility for First Manassas. Davis sent him west to be Sidney Johnston's second in command, never imagining he would succeed to command. Likely that after the defeat at Shiloh, Davis was preparing for any excuse to get rid of Beauregard, promoting Bragg to be in the wings. And when Beauregard gave Davis the chance by talking sick leave without clear authorization, Davis jumped on it.

 

[RedRover]

The Confederate Army included the (small, and mostly officers) Regular Army of the Confederate States, and the wartime "Provisional Army" of the Confederate States. The Regular Army had only the rank of "brigadier-general":

To avoid confusion, it was subsequently directed that regular army brigadier-generals be known simply as "generals.":

However, the "Provisional army" included grades of generals, including brigadier, major, and lieutenant, etc.

Again, to distinguish the regular army "generals" from the various grades of PACS generals, it was customary to call them at times, "full generals" etc.

Braxton Bragg was a general in the Louisiana Militia or State troops, commanding the "army of Louisiana", and next appointed brigadier-general in the Provisional army of the CS in March, '61, and Major-general of the same in September, '61. His promotion in April, 1862 was to "general" in regular CS army...

From his compiled service record:

 

[Nathan Stuart]

The timing may be a clue:

April 6: Beauregard sends premature message of victory to Richmond
April 7: Beauregard has to admit defeat to Richmond
April 12: Bragg promoted to full general

Agree. Think it all revolves around Beauregard and the clues are found in the timing of events.

Beauregard's popularity and influence with both the public and Richmond was waning after Shiloh and also following his failed strategy of defending the Mississippi Valley. This fuelled Davis's Davis determination to get rid of Beauregard from a position of Army command.

When the true outcome of Shiloh became known, Davis wasted no time in promoting his old friend, Bragg, to full General rank in the regular Army (nominated and confirmed on April 12; effective from April 6). Thought the promotion was purportedly (and surprisingly) for reasons of Bragg's able leadership at Shiloh.

After Johnston's death and Shiloh and its immediate aftermath, suspect Bragg was hastily promoted to parity rank with Beauregard, with the intended view that that he would replace Beauregard soon afterwards as head of the Army of the Mississippi (this would occur in June, after Beauregard's perceived poor performance at Corinth on June 19, when Bragg was formally appointed commander of the Western Department, as well as of the Army of Mississippi).

 

[Trooper "D"]

Full General rank in the Confederate army was seemingly intended for commanders of armies (or districts). Yet Bragg was promoted to full general on April 12, 1862, while he was still subordinate to Beauregard and no army command was available. What's up with that? I know of no other full general lromotion that was not made with the intent of assigning army command. Even Hood when replacing Johnston was assigned as a temporary full general (after Nashville he was reduced in rank back to Lt Gen). Bragg did not take over the Army of Mississippi (which he renamed the Army of Tennessee) until June of 1862.

General Bragg was good friends with Jefferson Davis and had been a hero in the Mexican War. Beauregard and Joseph E. Johnston were not on good terms with the President. Of the 5 full Generals of the Confederacy, Johnston felt that since he was the only one who held that rank in the US Army before resigning that he should have been top General. General Samual Cooper held that spot and I forgot exactly how the ranks went down from there but Johnston was not happy from the start.
Sam Cooper
Albert Sidney Johnston
Robert E. Lee
Pierre T. Beauregard
Joseph E. Johnston
Those were the top dogs of the Confederate Army.
Was Bragg in that group also? I think after AS Johnston bought the farm he was.
Im tired and confusing myself and too lazy to look it up. I'm putting strap locks on 4 guitars and the old style with the "C" clips can be very disagreeable and frustrating.
Sorry, I hope I wrote something useful for ya.
Cheers!

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Thought the full generals of the Confederacy in order of seniority of appointment were:

Samuel Cooper (appointed 16 May, 1861)
Albert Sidney Johnston (appointed 30 May, 1861 - KIA Shiloh)
Robert E. Lee (appointed 14 June, 1861)
Joseph E. Johnston (appointed 4 July, 1861)
Pierre T. Beauregard (appointed 21 July, 1861)
Braxton Bragg (appointed 6 April, 1862)
Edmund Kirby Smith (appointed 19 Feb., 1864)
John Bell Hood (appointed temporarily 18 July, 1864, but not confirmed)

 

[Trooper "D"]

Thought the full generals of the Confederacy in order of seniority of appointment were:

Samuel Cooper (appointed 16 May, 1861)
Albert Sidney Johnston (appointed 30 May, 1861 - KIA Shiloh)
Robert E. Lee (appointed 14 June, 1861)
Joseph E. Johnston (appointed 4 July, 1861)
Pierre T. Beauregard (appointed 21 July, 1861)
Braxton Bragg (appointed 6 April, 1862)
Edmund Kirby Smith (appointed 19 Feb., 1864)
John Bell Hood (appointed temporarily 18 July, 1864, but not confirmed)

Perfect! I know somebody would have the right order of seniority.
Thanks. You saved my bacon from the fire.