Confederate general (1817–1876) who was relieved of field duty after his unsuccessful siege of Chattanooga. His mixed legacy as a skilled organizer but a poor commander remains one of the great topics of debate among Civil War historians. War-dated LS signed “Braxton Bragg, Gen’l,” one page, 8 x 10.5, Head Quarters Armies Confederate States letterhead, August 29, 1864. Bragg, during his service as military advisor to Jefferson Davis, writes to Lt. General Jubal A. Early regarding changes suggested by Major General Robert Ransom to improve the quality of troops that had previously served under Ransom’s command. In full: “On return of Maj. Gen. Ransom from your Army, his opinion was desired as to the future of his late Cavalry command; and he was requested to suggest such changes as would improve the discipline & increase the efficiency thereof. I enclose you a copy of his request, before taking any action & request your suggestions. A part of the command was for some time under Maj. Gen. Breckinridge, he may be even better acquainted than yourself with its personnel. I therefore advise you to obtain an expression of his opinion also, as to that part. It is feared that too radical a change may produce dissatisfaction in those commands raised mostly in the Country now held by the Enemy, and may cause many desertions. At the same time it is felt that some stringent measures are necessary to secure discipline & prevent disaster.” John C. Breckinridge (1821–1875) former U.S. congressman and senator and vice president under Buchanan, was then an active Confederate general who would later serve as the Confederacy’s final secretary of war. Breckinridge developed an intense personal dislike of Bragg, sharing the view held by so many other Confederate officers that Bragg was incompetent. Furthermore, Breckinridge felt that Bragg was unfair in his treatment of Kentucky troops in Confederate service. For his part, Bragg despised Breckinridge and tried to undermine his career with accusations that he was a drunkard. At Stones River, Bragg ordered Breckinridge’s division to launch a near-suicidal attack on the Union lines on January 3, 1863. Breckinridge survived the attack, but his division suffered heavy casualties. In the summer of 1864, Breckinridge participated in Jubal Early’s Raid on Washington, moving north through the Shenandoah Valley and crossing into Maryland. Following his service with Early’s command, Breckinridge took command of Confederate forces in southwestern Virginia in September, 1864, where Confederate forces were in great disarray. He reorganized the department and led a raid into northeastern Tennessee. The letter is attractively gilt-and-suede matted and framed with an original carte-de-visite photo and a small name plaque to an overall size of 20 x 18. In good condition, with a couple of tape repairs on reverse to fold separations, some paper loss to corners and left edge, intersecting mailing folds, light creasing slightly affecting signature, and areas of heavy creasing and wrinkling to page. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
