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15 I Only Want a Respectable Command Grant smashed the Army of Tennessee at Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863, and drove it into north Georgia. Bragg left the army, discredited as a field commander. Hardee wanted no part of the command of the army, so Davis most reluctantly turned to Joseph E. Johnston. When Johnston came to Dalton in December 1863 to take charge of the army, Leonidas Polk succeeded him as departmental commander in Mississippi and Alabama. Pillow wrote a kind, complimentary letter to his banished friend Bragg, and a grateful Bragg responded on January 10: "No infiu15 I Only Want a Respectable Command Grant smashed the Army of Tennessee at Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863, and drove it into north Georgia. Bragg left the army, discredited as a field commander. Hardee wanted no part of the command of the army, so Davis most reluctantly turned to Joseph E. Johnston. When Johnston came to Dalton in December 1863 to take charge of the army, Leonidas Polk succeeded him as departmental commander in Mississippi and Alabama. Pillow wrote a kind, complimentary letter to his banished friend Bragg, and a grateful Bragg responded on January 10: "No influ- ence, no power, and no clamor can ever the suppress the admiration with which I have witnessed the intense labor and patriotic zeal with which you have served, and successfully served, our cause since you joined me more than a year ago." Bragg continued, "I have learned, too, to admire and view in their true light your unrequited sacrifices ." 1 With this flip-flop of commanding officers, Pillow saw opportunity. First he appealed to Johnston for a place in the Army of Tennessee, but Johnston replied on January 4,1864, that he had "no command suitable to your rank vacant." He offered instead command of the city of Atlanta, an assignment Pillow evidently rejected out of hand.2 Pillow had a better idea. He wrote Polk suggesting that he become the link between two departments. Stationing himself at Tuscumbia, Alabama , Pillow would protect Polk's right flank and Johnston's left, all the while throwing a shield before the vulnerable Alabama iron and coal complex and the government facilities at Talladega, Tuscaloosa, and Selma. All he would require would be two brigades of cavalry. The boundaries of the departments might have to be changed, but that was incidental. Polk liked the idea and "believed he [Pillow] could give good service there," so he wired Pillow to come to his headquarters, where they could have a frank, face to face discussion. When they had met and talked, Polk agreed to support Pillow's concept. Polk's wife, Frances, recorded the meeting in a letter to her daughter. It had been described to her by Polk's staff officer and kinsman, Henry C. Yeatman, who was present: Your father met him as if they had parted as ordinary acquaintances a few hours before. "Good morning, Gen.-take a seat. I received your dispatches," etc. When they had gotten through the business, Gen. Pillow laid his hand on your father's arm & said "Now Gen.-you must permit me to explain the past, & tell you that I regret having acted from misconception," etc. etc. That Pope Walker had told him he was entirely mistaken, & that he found sofar from having stood in his way, your father had recommended him for promotion & finished by saying that his mind was sore & "I think Gen. in my place you would have acted as I did." "There we differ," was your father's reply-but said he was willing to let bygones be bygones. They were both working for their country & he would do all he could to further his views. He, your father, came out & told us we must be very civil.S A Respectable Command rn ence, no power, and no clamor can ever the suppress the admiration with which I have witnessed the intense labor and patriotic zeal with which you have served, and successfully served, our cause since you joined me more than a year ago." Bragg continued, "I have learned, too, to admire and view in their true light your unrequited sacrifices ." I With this flip-flop of commanding officers, Pillow saw opportunity. First he appealed to Johnston for a place in the Army of Tennessee, but Johnston replied on January 4,1864, that he had "no command suitable to your rank vacant." He offered instead command of the city of Atlanta, an assignment Pillow evidently rejected out of...

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