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Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876) [General Bragg discusses military matters in the Pensacola area]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02409 Author/Creator: Bragg, Braxton (1817-1876) Place Written: Fort Barrancas, Florida Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 April 1861 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Bragg (Confederate) states "Our truce remains in force, 'They are not to reinforce, We are not to attack.' It is being carried out by both parties so far. All kinds of supplies ... were being furnished the enemy when I got here. I have stopped that process after much trouble, and now only allow officers stores." Reports that Andrew Barry Moore, the Governor of Alabama, and Colonel Hardee (possibly William Joseph Hardee) "have given permission for a continuance of this trade from Mobile, but my orders are to scuttle all vessels captured in it, and my volunteers will do it. There is no law for this, but there is necessity and public opinion ought to sustain me... " Relates that it took him a week to organize the Alabama regiment under his command. Reports that he has been "putting up Batteries and getting all ready for an Armament ... to redress Fort Pickens if necessary." Complains of a lack of supplies, money, and credit. Expects the arrival of 1200 men to join his force 7 April 1861. Damaged around edges with text loss.

Barrancas Barracks.
6th April, 1861.

My dear Sir,
Nothing has occurred here worthy of transmital since I wrote you.
Our truce remains in force. "They are not to reenforce. We are not to attack." It is being carried out by both parties so far. All kinds of supplies, even coal and water, were being furnished the enemy when I got here. I have stopped that process after much trouble, and now only allow officers stores - It caused some growling, but is now faithfully executed - The Governor of Alabama and Colonel Hardee, Comdg at Fort Morgan, have given permission for a continuance of this have from Mobile, but my orders are to scuttle all vessels captured in it, and my volunteers will do it. There is no law for this, but there is necessity and public opinion ought to sustain me, Sustained or not I shall do it - [2] [text loss] Most of my trouble here has been from election of officers - It took a weeks big [drink] to get the Ala. Regt., I found here, organized.
I am putting up Batteries and getting all ready for an armament I call for to reduce Fort Pickens if necessary. All goes on slowly for want of means - the Dept. at Montgomery is crowding me with men and giving nothing with them. They are useless without Arms and muniti[text loss: ons] In four weeks I have been begging f[text loss: or] money, but not a dollar have I h[text loss: ad] yet. With our empty purse and an [text loss: ex]hausted credit it is pretty hard to s[text loss: end] 5000 men on a barren sand bank. However, I shall not grumble, wors[text loss: e] things have been encountered and overc[text loss: ome]
1200 men will reach here tomorrow, and daily they come in by hundreds -
I will telegraph you should anything occur. We have no Post office at Pensacola, direct to care C. LeBaron & Sons, Mobile,
Yrs very truly,
Braxton Bragg.

Bragg, Braxton, 1817-1876
Moore, Andrew Barry, 1807-1873
Hardee, William Joseph, 1815-1873

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