May 20, 1863, Charleston Mercury
A correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser, writing from Shelbyville, says:
An officer in General Bragg’s army had obtained a short leave of absence to permit him to go home and attend to personal interests demanding his presence. Before his time of absence had expired he requested a further leave of absence for thirty days, and promised to return a better soldier than he had ever been before. His request was approved by the various officers in command over him, who knew him to be a tried and faithful man, and finally by General Bragg. Before the thirty days’ time granted had expired, he again forwarded a communication desiring a still further leave. His officers were astonished at his impudence and audacity, and each one in turn through whose hands it passed marked it “disapproved.” Before the communication reached army headquarters, General Bragg was the recipient of a letter from this officer, who stated that he had made application for further leave, and gave as his reason that while our army was further advanced he had become engaged to a young lady from whom he had received a letter, which he enclosed. This delicate missive contained a sad and touching farewell to the young officer who had gained her affections. She explained that since the enemy had gained her homestead, they had destroyed her property, taken everything from her, and well nigh made her penniless. When she had engaged herself to her lover she was the possessor of property, and was in different circumstances. With this state of things existing, hard as she felt would be the trial to her, she had determined to release the object of her affections from an engagement made in her prosperity. This noble missive was couched in such loving and gentle, though prudent and touching language that it might well have drawn tears from the iron warrior to whom it was presented. The officer added that the misfortunes of his affianced had only the more endeared her to him, and this manifestation of her disinterested love and spirit had only inspired a stronger affection for so noble a woman. He desired a still further holiday that he might go to her and marry her, proving that his love was as pure as her own, and by making her his wife endow his property upon her in case he was made the victim of a bullet. Gen. Bragg sent directions to his bureau officer to send him the communication so soon as it should arrive, and regardless of the endorsement of “disapproved” made by officers unaware of the circumstances, he marked it “granted for thirty days,” and endorsed upon the letter, “The lady is worthy of the best and bravest soldier, and from what I learn I believe you are worthy of the lady.–Braxton Bragg.”