Southern Cross: A New View of Leonidas Polk and His Clashes with Braxton Bragg

Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk was a distinguished West Point graduate, the first Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, a university founder, and a Confederate commander beloved by his troops, esteemed by the p…

Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk was a distinguished West Point graduate, the first Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, a university founder, and a Confederate commander beloved by his troops, esteemed by the public, and killed on the field of battle. In spite of his many accomplishments, historians invariably disparage Polk's generalship and even his personal character--but is their treatment fair or accurate?

This work employs a balanced perspective to shed new light on Polk's military leadership and reveal unexpected truths that explain his conflict with General Braxton Bragg. A seemingly insignificant piece of correspondence, along with an exploration of both men's writings, coalesce into an understanding of the root cause of the command dysfunction and chronic failures of the Army of Tennessee.

Confederate Shop is all about interesting books--especially those that might challenge the mainstream narrative. We also like to support authors like Mrs. Warren, someone who does excellent research and admires both Polk and the old South. Although not widely known, Polk and Bragg butted heads quite a bit during the war, and today's historians will often disparage Polk's generalship and personal character. Mrs. Warren dispels these inaccuracies and provides a wonderful defense of his leadership. ~ Matt