— Ch. 1 · Rumors And A Military Academy —
Braxton Bragg.
~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
Braxton Bragg was born on the 22nd of March 1817 in Warrenton, North Carolina. He grew up hearing unsubstantiated rumors that his mother had been convicted and imprisoned for murdering an African American freeman. Some stories even claimed he was born inside a prison cell. His father Thomas Bragg worked as a carpenter and contractor before becoming wealthy enough to send him to the Warrenton Male Academy. Neighbors considered the family lower class despite their growing wealth. Bragg spoke fondly of his father in thousands of letters but never mentioned his mother once during his lifetime.
His father decided on a military career for him when Braxton was only ten years old. The oldest son John obtained support from U.S. Senator Willie P. Mangum to secure a nomination. West Point admitted Braxton at age sixteen. His classmates included future Union generals Joseph Hooker and John Sedgwick. Confederate officers like John C. Pemberton and Jubal Early also attended with him. Bragg graduated fifth out of fifty cadets in the Class of 1837. He relied on superior memory rather than diligent study to succeed academically.
Mexican War And A Nickname
Bragg won promotions for bravery during the Mexican, American War starting in 1845. He received a brevet promotion to captain after the Battle of Fort Brown in May 1846. September 1846 brought another promotion to major following the Battle of Monterrey. February 1847 saw him promoted to lieutenant colonel for the Battle of Buena Vista. His timely placement of artillery into a gap helped repulse a numerically superior Mexican attack there.
An anecdote circulated about General Zachary Taylor commanding "A little more of the grape, Captain Bragg." This phrase supposedly caused Bragg to redouble his efforts and save the day. Stories claim Taylor never said those words according to Major William Bliss who served as Taylor's Chief of Staff. The diary of Ethan Allen Hitchcock confirmed that all stories connecting the general to Bragg were false. Nevertheless Bragg returned to the United States as a popular hero. A northwestern outpost named Fort Bragg California honored his exploits. Citizens of Warrenton presented him with a ceremonial sword.