LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 Dec Signature Civil War Auction #642  / 

25320

Civil War ALS From Gen Bragg to Gen Rosecrans

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Civil War ALS From Gen Bragg to Gen Rosecrans
<B>Interesting Autograph Letter Signed From Confederate General Braxton Bragg to Union General W. S. Rosecrans.</B></I> Handwritten and signed by Confederate General Braxton Bragg, this letter is addressed to his nemesis General William S. Rosecrans at Chattanooga during the seesaw exchange of the city between Union and Confederate troops. Dated October 1, 1863, the letter notifies General Rosecrans that Bragg will no longer allow families to pass through Confederate lines just after Bragg had whipped Rosecrans at Chickamauga, driving him back to Chattanooga. Having already fought Rosecrans to a draw at Murfreesboro and beating him at Chickamauga, General Ulysses S. Grant would soon grow tired of Rosecrans and replace him with General George Thomas. It was only with the enormous reinforcements from General Grant that Bragg was forced out of Chattanooga. <BR><BR>This letter measuring approximately 8" x 9" is completely handwritten and signed by Bragg. It states: "<I>Head Quarters Dept. of Tenn. / Oct. 1, 1863 / Genl W. S. Rosecrans / Comdg. U. S. Forces / Chattanooga / Genl, / I am constrained under present circumstances, to withhold my consent to the passage of families from your lines into mine. / I am General / Very Respectfully / Yr. Obdt. Servt. / Braxton Bragg / Genl. Comdg.</B></I>" <BR><BR>An 1837 graduate of West Point, Bragg would later be moved to Richmond as a special adviser to President Davis. After the war he was chief engineer for the state of Alabama and retired to Texas where he died in 1876. <BR><BR>The letter is partially trimmed with one small hole on the right middle. There is some taping behind the letter on the middle right edge, however the handwriting is vivid and compelling. A hardbound gray slipcover with gold engraved lettering comes with the letter. An interesting letter from one rival general to another as they faced each other down at a critical time in the war. War-dated signatures of Bragg are very scarce in any form, let alone in such a desirable example. <BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Collectibles (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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