Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-10-26
Bragg and his Generals.

Last week we published accounts of
Why aud what for, Gea. Polk hal aeea
of his commani by Gen. Bragg.
Since then, ne see it stated that General
Polk has been rsliered of the onus of
blame attached to his uot renewing the
attack at daylight on Sunday of the
Chicamauga battle. and that it has been
saddled upoa Gen.. D. H. Hills back, for
which he has been relieved of his COM
mand and ordered to report to Adjut,nt
General Cooper, at Richmond, for duty.
A correspondent of the Savannah Repnb-
lican explains the matter in this wise:
1.-THE truth re .arding the Hardness
with which the great advantages were
follow up in our last signal victory
over Rosecrans begins slowly to unfold
itself, and Gen Bragg is exonerated from
shouldering the blame. Gen. Polk has
been arrested, of course by Gen. Bra-.-
What for? On Sunday morning Geu.
Polk had orders to move rapidly forward
at daylight and attack the enemy, either
before he got within the Notifications at
Chattanooga, or wi. hin them, as ae
might find him. Gen. Bragg supposed,
with every reason justly, that his diso:-
dsred ranks could not be organized be-
fore light, and a sudden attack in such a
demoralized condition as he was forced
from the field on Sunday night, would
increase the rout and result in his entire
destruction. Gen. Folks command did
- ,,~tsf ~nau 10 - l ,,,a
has tat least, it is no doubt true, he
did not get under way until very late in
the day. The result is, Rosecrans i'm
proved the time allowed him, got his
shattered regiments together d gain. form
ed Them behind the earth-works, and
placed his guns in position in the strong
batteries which surrounded the rear of
the town. What excuse was offered
for sacrificing the fruits of the most ia
vorab!e victory we have Had in the war ?
Gen. Polk, so ruulor again has it, attach
es the blame to Gen d. FL. Hill. Gen.
Hills command, it seems, w.s oraered
by Gen. Polk to execute the command. of
Gen. Bragg, and moH forward at day
light, to make the attack. When asked
WY he did not move, his excuse was
: that his men had no Iatlons and he would
not fight them without something te eat.
Ii this prove true, he deserves t. be
cashiered either for having no rati3nS
for his men or for not moving forward
without them in such an important cncr.
t gency. 1t is very certain Tor it should
: be) that they had something to eat the
day before, and it is yet to be seen when
Southern soldiers are not ready to move
T under more trying circumstances Than
n priyation Of rations for "a hours. The
if neglect of such weighty duties where s
much of our isssr.st vas involved hardy
admlCS an excuse, and the shortest way
q to guard against such dreadful coatin-
e gencies in future, is to do away, a:
early as possible, with leaders who have
4 such bad luck" 1t is to be hoped a
better face may be put en- the mater
= than at present shows itself in the coun
l. ~tenance Of Madam Rumor as she travels
e, about camp"
d We suppose President Davis, ATTIC,
looking into the matter at Bragg
or headquarters, became satisfied of Gencr
y : al Iii IS delinquency, and thought it ad.
te vlsaole to remove him and put Breckin
ridge in command of his division, bu
such is eur confidence in Daniel LII. Hill
s9ld'crly and fighting qualities, that W
feel sure he will come out "all right
he ,hen full investigation is made into tn
ss, affair. We hope the President is no
OF guilty of making him the scape-goat t
screen his pets Bragg, Polk and Breckir
ee ridge.
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