Davis, Jefferson

Broadside (12 5/8 x 9 1/4 in.; 320 x 235 mm). Signed in type "George Wm. Brent, A. A. General"; formerly folded, generally browned and spotted, small fold tears at left and right edges

Calendared in Papers of Jefferson Davis, vol. 10, p. 24; not in Parrish & Willingham

see cataloguing
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Jefferson Davis gives thanks after the victory at Chickamauga.

The battle was damaging to both sides in proportions roughly equal to the size of the armies, the highest losses of any battle in the Western Theater during the war and, after Gettysburg, the second-highest of the war overall. Although the Confederates were technically the victors, driving Rosecrans from the field, Bragg had not achieved his objective of destroying Rosecrans, nor of restoring Confederate control of East Tennessee, and the Confederate Army suffered casualties that they could ill afford.

"Defenders of the heart of our territory, your movements have been the object of intensest[!] anxiety. The hopes of our cause greatly depend upon you ... Though you have done much, very much yet remains to be done ... Before you is a country devastated by your ruthless invader, where gentle woman, feeble age and helpless infancy have been subjected to outrages without parallel in the warfare of civilized nations ... When the war shall have ended the highest meed of praise will be due, and probably given, to him who has claimed least for himself in proportion to the service he has rendered, and the bitterest self-reproach which may hereafter haunt the memory of any one will be to him who has allowed selfish aspiration to prevail over a desire for the public good ... I fervently hope that the ferocious war, so unjustly waged against our country, may be soon ended, that, with the blessing of peace, you may be restored to your homes and the useful pursuits ..."