Braxton Bragg, GeneralThere is something about this quote regarding General Bragg that reminds me of the disability adjudication system at the Social Security Administration, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.   Perhaps it has something to do with using a Dictionary of Occupational Titles last updated in 1991 to deny claims in 2014.

See  http://www.ssa.gov/oidap/panel_documents.htm

 

Ulysses S. Grant recalled in his memoirs a story about Bragg that seemed to suggest an essential need for proper procedure that bordered on mental instability. Once Bragg had been both a company commander as well as company quartermaster (the officer in charge of approving the disbursement of provisions). As company commander he made a request upon the company quartermaster--himself--for something he wanted. As quartermaster he denied the request and gave an official reason for doing so in writing. As company commander he argued back that he was justly entitled to what he requested. As quartermaster he stubbornly continued to persist in denying himself what he needed. Bragg requested the intervention of the post commander (perhaps to diffuse the impasse before it came to blows). His commander was incredulous and he declared, "My God, Mr. Bragg, you have quarreled with every officer in the army, and now you are quarreling with yourself."

 

Braxton Bragg http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/braxton-bragg.html