Civil War-dated ALS, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 9, January 2, 1864. Handwritten letter to surgeon S. H. Stout, the medical director of hospitals in Atlanta. In part: "Among the many kind expressions of regret and of confidence received by me since retiring from official position, none has excited a livelier interest or given greater pleasure than your note. To have secured the good will and esteem to those who have suffered most in our cause, and of their humane and self-sacrificing…whose only return is a consciousness of duty well done, is no small reward to one whose stern discharge of duty more often offended than propitiated…
The operations of the Hospital department of our Army of Tenn., especially since systemized by you, I have always claimed as perfect, so far as our means allowed. And I have every reason to believe it is considered by our government as superior to any in the country. I hope you will find it agreeable to continue your service, so grateful to the soldier and so beneficial to the army.
Rest assured, Doctor, that one of the most pleasant associations of my official life has been with that of you and your corps…In this connection I enclose you a short extract from my report at Chickamauga." In fine condition, with tiny old tape repairs along the central horizontal fold.
Bragg had recently retired from his "official position" as commander of the Army of Tennessee and was about to be named Jefferson Davis' military advisor when he responded to a letter from a medical director in Georgia. Having been under fire by his subordinate generals for a perceived unwillingness to capitalize on the Confederate victory at Chickamauga, Bragg was grateful to have received correspondence from an ally. He also shows his clear respect for those Confederate troops wounded during the war—"those who have suffered most in our cause"—many of whom were wounded at Chickamauga. The report that Bragg references here lauded the medical personnel who showed exemplary conduct during the battle—the highest possible praise afforded as individual medals were not awarded. A terrific reference from one of the Confederacy's greatest generals to one of the South's key battles.
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