4

Smith had their way, Bragg's raid into Kentucky would have become a
spectacularly successful campaign.

These two victories cost him a boon he seems ardently to have
wished, the right to return to his churches, his clergy, and his
people. His efforts to resign were just as sincere as was the
determination of the Confederate hierarchy to keep him in uniform.
His early record made his continuance in military service necessary
to the morale of the new nation. The early desire to go back to
eccliesiastical life lessened progressively as General Benjamin F. "Beast" Butler
tightened his grip on New Orleans. Polk as Bishop could only have
chosen between heading a rump diocese and being a virtual prisoner.

If Polk could have foreseen the decline of his personal fortunes
in the military, if he could have faced sooner the pathetic inadequacy
of the man who was his commanding officer for the greater part of
the war, he might have insisted on the resignation. General Braxton
Bragg was a a great organizer and trainer of men. His Army of Tennessee
was always ready to fight but invariably let pass the best opportunity
for attack. His frustrated lieutenants, including Forrest, Wheeler,
Hardee, Polk, Cheatham, Kirby-Smith, and other excellent officers,
contended with varying degrees of feeling that favoritism shown Bragg
by Davis was a tragic mistake. Generals Polk and Bragg, after
disagreeing in Kentucky, had an open argument at Chickamauga. Bragg
preferred charges and Polk, supported by fellow generals, was