The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-29
BRACES RETREAT
From nurfreesboro in January, 1S63-He Had Lost
the Confidence Of his Army.

BRACES RETREAT
From Murfreesboro in January, 1S63-He Had Lost
the Confidence of his Army.
The great battle of Dec. 81, 1862, at Stones
River was essentially draw" Neither side
gained so marked an advantage that it could
Justly claim victory. Both armies lost heavily
and were badly crippled. All day Thursday,
Jan. ], they lay and growled at each other.
Each was possessed of a doggod determination
TO fight if attacked, but neither felt disposed to
"knock the chip" from the others shoulder
The Confederates gathered themselves for
mighty effort on Friday, Jan. p The troops of
Breckenridge which had suffered less than any
other division of Bragg's army in the engage
ment of Dec. 81, were launched furIousiy
against the Union left. All the other divisions,
battered and bleeding. but still full OF sullen
courage were held well "in hand ready to
spring upon Rosecrans's main body in the event
OF success attending the movement of Breckin-
ridge But the gallant charge of the latter was
rs calamity repulsed, and a counter-charge sent
his four brigades flying in confusion and rout
The result of this encounter convinced Bragg
shat, so far from being defeated, the Union
army was still in good fighting condition, and
he immediately began TO consider the question
of retreat. The splendid pluck > of RoSecrans,
which his example inspired in the breast Of
every soldier in his command, and the tcnacity
with which he held his position, turned the
doubtful issue of the 3lSt into victory. Bragg
final withdrawal left him master of the field,
with all the substantial fruits of the campaign.
The Southern BiuOUdc for October publishes an
authentic copy of the correspondence between
Gen. BraXton Bragg and his corps and DIVISION
commanders in relation TO the retreat OF the
Army of the Tennessee from Murfrcesboro,
Tenn, on the Sd day of January, 1853. 1t is
preserved in Gen. Liddell's Record and is
most important contribution TO the history OF
the war:
"A" I2:I5 a. m. HEADQUARTERS THE FIELD,
MURFREFsBoRo, TENN, Jan. 3, 1868.
GENERAL: We deem il our duty TO say TO You
frankly that IN our Judgment TINS army slould oe
promptly put in retreat. You have but Three brl-
Esdes that at all reliable, and even some oil
these are more or less dcmoralized from having
some brigade commanders who do not possess the
confidence Of their commands. such Is our cpln-
ion, and we deem il solcan duty Ia express II 10
You. We do fear great disaster from The condition
of things existing, and think IL should be
Very respectfurly. General. yours. etc.
j. F. CEEATHAN, Major-General, c. 5, A.
/. VI. WITHEFs, Najor-General c. ). A.
To Gen. Is. BRAGG.
Commanding. etc. true copy:
kINLoCH FALCoNER, 4. A. G.
~B" I:3O a. M. Jan. g.
MY DEAR GENERAL: send you the inclosed
paper j. requested. And am compelled 10 add,
that after seeing the effect of the operations o to-
day, added to that produced upon the troops by
the battle OF the 3lt, very greatly Tear the collSe-
quences Of another engagement at this place on the
ensuing day. We could now, perhaps. get off with
some safety and with some credit, Ii the affair was
well managed. Shou d we fan IN the medtated
attack the consequences might be very disastrous.
Hoping you may he guided Alright, whatever
determination you may reach
L. Polk, Lieut.-Gen.
Icertify the above is true copy:
kINLoCH FALCONER, A. a. IL
Under date of Jan. IL, 1863, Gen. Bragg sent
q letter TO Gen. Hardee, representing that he
has been assailei 10y the press and by individ-
uals both in public and private, for the retro
grade movement, which he said was resisted
by me for some time after advised by my corps
and division commanders" He added:
1t becomes necessary for me to save my fair
name. if | cannot stop the deluge of abuse which
will destroy my usefulness and demoraliZe this
army Gen Smith has been c.lled to
Richmond it Is supposed with view TO super
sede / snail retire without regret II hud
have lost the good opinion Of nay Generals, upon
whom have ever relied upon foundation Of
rock.
He asked from Gen. Hardee a candid, frank
statement with reference TO the matter.
Gen. Hardee replied Jan. II. After speaking
Of the delicate nature of the inquiries he said:
No mention of retreat was made to me until early
on the morning Of the 81 of January, when Lieut..
Richmond, OF Gen. Folks staff read me the Cen
erals note 10 you, and informed me Of your verbal
reply. ] told him, under the circumstances, moth
ing could be done then About 10 o clock the same
day met YOU personally al your quarters in COM
present. You informed us that the papers of Gen.
McCook had hccn captured and from the strength
OF his corps, 1900, If appeared that the enemy was
stronger ti&H you Supp0sed-ihat zen. W heeIef
reported that he was receiving re- endorsements
heayily-aid after informing of these facts sug
tested the necessity of retreat and asked my Opn-
ion As TO lis iTopriety. Having heard your state
ments ana views, fully concurred, and II was de-
cided to retreat No proposition was made by me
by my division commanders to retreat which
was resisted by you Cor time and recall your
attention to the fact. Afterward, in the evening
about O'clock we met To arrange details, and the
retreat being still deemed advisable, and having
been partially executed, concurred in an imme-
dIate movement IN view of the heavy losses
we had sustained and the condition of the troops.
have conferred with Ma. Gen. Breckin
ridge and Maj-Cen. CleDuTne in regard 10 this mat
ter, and feel that frankness conpels to say that
the general officers whose judgment you have in
woke unanimous in their opinion that a change
In the command Of this army Is necessary. In this
opinion ! concur. feel assured that this opinion
Is considerably formed and with the highest
speet for the purity of your motives, your energy
and your personal character; but they are con-
WINGED, you must feel that the peril OF the coun-
try is superior TO all considerations.
Gen. p. L. Cleburne-the same gallant soldier
who fell at Franklin nearly two years later-in
q letter to Gen. Bragg, dated Jan. b. said:
have consulted with all my brigade command
at this place, you request, showing them your
letter and Enclosures, and they unite with i'll
personal regard 10 yourself III high appreciation
of your patriotism and gallantry, and III a con-
ylcilon OF your great capacity Tor organization,
but at the same time they see with regret, and
mas also met my Observation, tl1at you 90 not
possess the confidence Of the army in other
spects in that degree necessary to secure success
Gen. Breckenridge also wrote to Gen. Bragg,
Jan. y, admitting that d" / advised you Braggl
to retire from Murfreesboro the same night
tJan. 3 He further said:
In obedience 10 your wishes have this day had
o conference with the brigade commanders of my
division. Gems. Pillow and Preston and Coils. Ira
bue and Gibson.
Acting with the candor you invoke they request
me TO say that in their opinion the conduct of the
military operations in front of MuTreesboro made
II necessary and proper for our army to retire.
They also request me TO say that while they enter
tain the highest respect for your patriotism il is
their opinion that you do not possess the confidence
of the army 10 an extent which will enable you to
be useful az its commander In this opinion feel
bound TO state that concur.
haze the honor 10 state that the brigade
manders Of my division spoke of you throughout
In terms Of high personal respect, and TO add that
In this regard fully share their feelings.
Gen. Longs Order When He Left His Command at
Macon, Ga.
To THE EDITOR: VIII you please print the
following in your excellent paper:
HEADqRs, SECOND DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS !
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI !
MACON. GA, April %, 1865.
General Orders, No. Is.
Officers and soldiers of ,he Second niyis;op Cap