One of Braxton Bragg’s first responsibilities was to engage in the invasion of Kentucky. At the Battle of Perryville, Bragg’s forces launched a successful attack, but instead of securing the victory, Bragg decided to withdraw to the fury of his superiors. According to Battlefields, a similar defeat after a promising beginning occurred at the Battle of Stones River. Even Chickamauga, a significant victory for the Confederacy led by Bragg, saw more Confederate losses than Union, and Bragg let the Union army retreat and regroup instead of delivering a finishing blow.

Both superiors and subordinates were furious with Bragg’s decision-making, temperament, and combative personality. While his men were known for being well-drilled and organized, he repeatedly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. There was only one man advocating for him: Commander Jefferson Davis, who was saved by Bragg during his heroics in Mexico. Davis refused calls to remove Bragg until the latter followed up Chickamauga with a decisive defeat at Chattanooga. Davis accepted Bragg’s resignation, although he remained with the Confederate Army until the end of the war, and later died at the age of 59.