Civil War regiments were the products of a democratic society. Many officers were elected, not appointed, at least early in the war. When the 15th Alabama elected its first commander, they chose Irish immigrant Pat Cleburne. The unit was part of General Thomas Bradley’s Arkansas command.1
General Bradley sent Cleburne and his men on a wild goose chase against a perceived Union threat in northern Arkansas. Bradley’s mission was so poorly planned and executed that the useless march led to the loss of men, supplies, and equipment. 2
When Col. Cleburne returned from the misbegotten expedition, he had General Bradley placed under arrest. Cleburne was convinced that Bradley was so incompetent that he was a danger to the lives of the men in the ranks. When he was finally released, Bradley charged Cleburne with mutiny, but it was Bradley who was forced to leave the army. Cleburne, instead of being court martialed, was promoted to command a brigade. A few months later he was commissioned a brigadier general.3…