Major General Braxton Bragg was given a difficult assignment as the commander of the Army of Tennessee. Many historians believe that President Jefferson Davis did not give Bragg the reinforcements and supplies he needed. Despite that, he was asked to carry the heavy burden involved with Tennessee and Kentucky. Jefferson Davis expected Bragg to keep the Union out of Tennessee, which was a Union priority. Bragg had to search for options that would save Tennessee and yet preserve his Army of Tennessee from large losses.
In the Western theater, on August 21, General Braxton Brag's army reached Chattanooga Tennessee. There he and prepared his forces to join the Confederate offensive started by General Kirby.
Confederate General Braxton Bragg graduated form West Point in 1837. He ranked fifth in his class that had fifty graduates that year. General Bragg played a large role in the Western Theater of the US Civil War.
Confederate General Braxton Bragg had been carrying on operations in the Western theater. In 1862, he and General Kirby Smith were preparing to join forces for battles in Tennessee. In the last days of August, 1862, Bragg begins his offensive against Union General Buell in Tennessee.
Confederate General Simon Bolivar graduated from West point in 1844. Among the 25 graduating cadets of that year, Bolivar ranked eleventh. Bolivar saw most of his action in the Western Theater. He fought under General Braxton Bragg at the Battle of Perryville.
The future Confederate General Braxton Bragg was only 16 years old when he was admitted to West Point. He was ranked fifth in his graduating class of 50 cadets in 1837. In his class were future generals of major importance in the US Civil War. For example, Joesph Hooker, John Pemberton, and Jubal Early were among his classmates.Bragg would become one of the principal Confederate generals in the Western Theater.
Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith graduated from West Point in 1845. Smith was ranked 25th in a graduating class of cadets numbering 41. Smith was instrumental in Confederate battles in the Western Theater. He and General Braxton Bragg led a raid into Kentucky in 1862. Kirby served in the Confederate victory at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky.
President Jefferson Davis believed that Lieutenant General Robert E. Lee was the best general to replace Braxton Bragg as the commander of the Army of Tennessee. Lee was able to convince Davis that another choice would be better. He suggested PT Beauregard, however, Davis finally appointed General Joseph Johnston to the vacancy.
Confederate General William Whann Mackall graduated from West Point in 1837. He was ranked 8th among the graduating cadets in his of 50. Mackall saw most of his service in the US Civil War in the Western Theater. Perhaps his most famous battle was at Chickamauga. He served under generals Braxton Bragg and Joseph Johnston.
Confederate General Humphrey Marshall graduated from West Point in 1832. His graduating class of cadets numbered 45 and Marshall ranked 42nd in his class. Marshall had a checkered career in the US Civil War. He resigned in 1862 because he was not given a good assignment. He soon rejoined the Confederate army and saw action in the Western Theater under General Braxton Bragg. Marshall resigned again in 1863 and left the army to practice law.
The Battle of Perryville took place in the Western theater of the war. It was in Kentucky and if one side could claim a victory it could have been a significant blow to the other side. The battle pitted the forces of Confederate General Braxton Bragg against Union General Don Carlos Beull. The battle proved to be inconclusive. Technically Kentucky being a neutral border state should have been off grounds for a battle. It was a slave state however, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis badly wanted it to be a Confederate state.
Confederate General Hugh Weedon Mercer graduated from West Point in 1828. He was ranked third among his graduating class of 33 cadets. Mercer saw most of his war action in the Western Theater. He served at the Confederate victory of Kenneshaw Mountain and the Confederate loss in the Battle of Atlanta.
Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith graduated from West Point in 1842. He ranked sixteenth out of a graduating class of fifty six. Smith is best known for his battles in the Western Theater.