The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-22

nor exactly where the encounter would be
Gen. Taylor was therefore naturally anxious
that his small army should be in the best
possible condition for any contingency that
might arise. lie knew that Bragg was emf
nently competent 20 command the light
battery under any condition. lie did not
know Sherman at all, and therefore forced
him TO remain in Camargo whilst Bragg
marched Of 10 the
sTORMING OF MONTEREY
in command Of his (Sherman's) battery. il
was hard measure, and am sure that Gen.
Taylor regretted the necessity, but with him
the question was merely whether ii was
better to do temporary injustice TO an indi-
vidual officer or TO risk the inelicieBcy Of SO
| important an element in his small Army.
As II turned out aiterward 7. w. Sherman
proved to be a most competent and gallant
battery commander, and at Buena Vista
rendered as distinguished service rs was
credited 10 any officer in that command.
His name was on the list Of highly-distin-
guished officers recommended by Gen. Tay-
lor for promotion.
only mention this incident TO show that
even when he was only a Lieutenant, Bragg
military ability was SO fully recognized that
so fair and just man as Gen. Taylor was
prompted by ii 10 do injustice to a most
worthy officer Of his command.
Bragg's iondness Of controversy sometimes
induced him TO resort to queer practices to
get one up. 1t is told of him, and presume
il is true, that being stationed at Fort Moul-
tre, S. C., with his company which AT the
time constituted the whole garrison Of the
post, and being at the same time COM
mander of The company and QuartermasteI
OF the posi-, he at once begun
A SPIRITED DISCUSSION
rs company commander with the Post
Quartermaster (himsclf holding both onices),
upon some od and long -controyerted ques-
tions between the two officials in question,
which had been a bone Of contention ever
since the Army had an organization. The
controversy between Bragg as company COM
mander and Bragg as Quartermaster be-
came at last SO acrimonious that the Quarter
master preferred charges against the COM
pany commander, based on his offensive
letters. The commander Of the post (Col.
Eustes), being Just then temporarily absent,
Bragg had also succeeded for the time 10 the
command Of the post The correspondence
and charges were in due course submitted
10 him, and he forwarded them to Washing
ton, with n severe excoriation Of both the
parties concerned, for the action and decis-
ion Of the Secretary Of War. I'm reply TO
this effort Of his 10 settle questions Of in
terest in the administration Of the Army be
received pretty sharp reprimand, which
was, perhaps, the most absurd part OF the
whole transaction. So far as law and Army
regulations are concerned, the whole corre-
spondence and its reference 10 Washington
WAS perfectly legitimate, and demanded
respectful attention. 1t was not a dispute
between individuals, but question between
two public officials on public business and
in such a case the personality Of the parties
was not in question nor did ii make the
least difference officially whether the officials
were different persons or one and the same
person. The whole
AFFAIR WAS LUDFRoUs,
but il illustrates Bagg's propensity TO raise
controversies, and the strange methods 10
which be would resort 10 inaugurate one.
IL was the fatal defect Of his character,
and joined TO a naturally abominable tenn
per, il impaired his military success, and no
doubt embittcTed his life. Had he but pre-
served the manner Of The courlier, his history
woald have filed n much larger space ia the
records Of the Southern Confederacy.
OF Gen. HuGee, who was next in rank to
Bragg in that army, do not know that
have much 10 say. lie was not a very
prominent parsonage during the war, and
made little mark in is history. lie was a
genial gentlemen, Of good address, and
rather Of reserved manners; an officer accom-
plished in all the details Of service and
thoroughly posted in all Of the smaller eii-
quet Of Army ceremonies He was n good
tactician, and compiled a volume Of infantry
tactics for The Army which was used for
few years, and was great improvement
upon the old tactics in use Heretofore. lie
was for time C0mmandant Of Cadets NJ
West Point, and was both an efficient AID
considerate commander. lie was never con-
s.dered man Of large ability, and his
record during the war would seem to con-
firm this estimate Of him. lie possessed all
those traits Of urbanity, efTusiYencss and
apparent interest in whomsOever he was
with, which were 50 wanting in Bragg. aud
il is probably true shat he was indebted for
the military positions be held, ana tie favor
with which be was REGARDED, 10 the suayity
Of the c0urticr quite as much as TO the
ability Of the soldier. lie was always an
agreeable man 20 meet, and have no doubt
always a wela6me guest
(70 b. c0Htnuod)
Wedding Rings for Men.
tGa#gaanfG WeSEcHger
Wbv there ehoul1 be sa furcb ep p-,,,sso -