Southern women will thank him
General Bragg works to prevent the corruption of his troops.
Seven Score and Ten points out that 150 years ago the Union high command was quite concerned about where Braxton Bragg was aiming his army as the Confederates were continuing their offensives. Here’s a snippet that shows General Bragg’s concern about army discipline.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch September 10, 1862:
From the South. …
Gen. Bragg has written a letter to a friend, which is published. We make the following extract:
No man in power can expect to do his duty and escape detraction. All mortals are fallible, and I have no doubt my errors are many and great.–With a conscientious conviction, however, that my course is right, I shall pursue it; and if at the end of this war, when our independence, is secured, an enlightened public judgment shall condemn me, after hearing the testimony of those who are now with me, gallantly and nobly defending their colors, as well as of those who have basely deserted to their homes to slander and revile their officers, in justification of their dishonor, I shall utter no murmur, but endeavor in silence to repent of my errors. In any event, I shall enjoy the consolation of having done something to prevent the moral degradation of our armies and our society.
Had not the reformation of grog-shops, gambling-houses, &c., commenced by me at Pensacola and Mobile, been approved and enforced by the Government, we should now be a degraded and enslaved people. No armies could have existed under such practices. In this I know the thanks of the mothers, wives, daughters, and sweethearts of the country will be mine. The gallant men they have sent me shall return to them uncorrupted.
Similarly, from the same Dispatch issue:
Trial of Liquor Sellers.
–The Court Martial now in session here have been engaged most of the week in trying the cases of parties arrested for violating that part of the proclamation of martial law forbidding the sale of whiskey. A number were mulcted in fines of considerable amount.
‘no brag, just fact’
A faint memory
