Did Bragg's agressivenes, apparently much appreciated by Davis, color Davis' opinion of Johnston in the tlanta campaign? He replaced Johnston with another agressive General, Hood. Hood was a lot better brigade commander than he was a division commander. Bragg's eyes in pictures of him at the time show the mental condition alluded to in the description in David's post. Pictures of Hood show a deep sadness, perhaps at the loss of so many good men when it was becoming clear the South could not win without needed resources, no matter their spirit.

As to Bragg whipping Forrest? No way. NBF once fought off four men, and that was after the war. He was, perhaps accidentally, shot in the hip by one of his officers. NBF killed the young man with a penknife. He charged a federal cavalty unit once, only to find himself alone among them. He fought his way clear, and, retreating post haste, slowed to pick up a wounded federal trooper, swinging him up behind on his saddle, thus using him for a sheild! Forrest killed at least thirty enemy soldiers in combat, and had 39 horses shot from under him. I surely would not have wanted to fight him. Stan