Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
During the summer of 1862, the Confederate government concocted a grand plan to stop and possibly turn back Grant's drive into northern Mississippi and weaken Buell's grip on central Tennessee. Confederate Generals Bragg and Kirby Smith were to push north into Kentucky. The hope was that they could cut off Buell's supply lines while at the same time adding to their ranks the many Kentucky males who were supposedly cut off from joining the Southern army. In late August 1862 Confederate General Braxton Bragg departed Chattanooga, Tennessee. Incredibly, Buell's Union army, instead of challenging Bragg's advance, withdrew towards Nashville leaving the door to Kentucky open to Bragg. His weary Southern troops entered Kentucky and the citizens greeted them enthusiastically with cheers, cakes, food and drink. The women seemed most responsive and waved kerchiefs happily. The Confederate high command's hopes for a warm welcome seemed well-founded. After entering the state, Bragg ordered Leonidas Polk to march toward Glasgow, Kentucky and seize the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Polk did so on September 14, 1862. On that day, Bragg rushed to print this rare Confederate broadside, 1p. 4to., "HEAD QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT, NO. 2, Glasgow, KY., Sept. 14, 1862, which reads, in small part: "KENTUCKIANS! -I have entered your state with the Confederate Army of the West, and offer you an opportunity to free yourselves from the tyranny of a despotic ruler. We come…to restore to you the liberties of which you have been deprived…we come to guarantee to all the sanctity of their homes and…to punish with the rod of iron the despoilers of your peace, and to avenge the cowardly insults of your women…your gallant Buckner leads the van. Marshall is on the right, while Breckinridge…is advancing with Kentucky's valiant sons…the strong hands which in part have sent SHILOH down to History…are here to assist you…Kentuckians! We come with joyous hopes…if you prefer Federal rule, show it by your frowns and we shall return whence we came…WOMEN OF KENTUCKY!…banish henceforth…from your minds, the fear of loathsome prisons or insulting visitations…buckle on the armor of your kindred, your husbands, sons and bothers…BRAXTON BRAGG, General Commanding…". A period pencil notation on the verso indicates that this piece was printed by a certain H. McConaltry who was no doubt a local printer or newspaper man. Three days after issuing this order, Bragg's plans for a easy success, and push toward Louisville was thwarted when the battle of Mumfordsville (Sept. 17, 1862) was fought. His advance was delayed for two days as they sieged the Union garrison and forced them to surrender. Sadly, for Bragg, Kentucky's citizens did not welcome them with open arms and his campaign ground to a halt with the battle of Perryville. After the bloody battle, which occurred on October 8, 1862, the Confederate forces were forced to retreat towards Chattanooga making Bragg "liberation" announcement in this broadside a mute point. Overall a very rare Confederate broadside from the autumn of 1862 when Southern hopes ran high as Lee also pushed north into Maryland. Minor folds, else VG to near fine.
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