Lt. General Nathan Bedford Forrest CSA
 |
( 1821-1877)
1837: At the age of 16 his father died leaving him with his mother and a large family to support on a leased farm. 1841: At the age of 20 he joined a company of volunteers in Texas. 1842: He moved to Hernando, Miss. where he went into the cotton business and in 1842 he married Mary Montgomery. They had only one son, William Montgomery Forrest. |
1861: (July) Isham G. Harris, Governor of Tennessee, commissioned Forrester to organize a regiment of cavalry for Confederate service. By October 1861, he had organized a battalion of eight companies and outfitted them at his own expense. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel and moved into service at Fort Donelson.
1862: He became a Brigadier General at the age of 41. In 1863 he became a Major General and Lieutenant General in 1865.
Though he is called a cavalry leader his tactics more closely resembled that of a dragoon. (mounted foot soldiers). Not being encumbered by formal military training his tenacity and creativity gave him a great advantage over the academics of warfare.
It was characteristic of him to lead the charge shouting with sword and pistols in hand. He had twenty-seven horses killed and wounded under him in battle and was twice severely wounded himself. Instinctively he used classic battle tactics of famous warriors without ever knowing of them. Concealment, surprise, intimidation, deceit, bluff, flank, and relentless pursuit were all part of his arsenal. Extensive use of scouts enabled him to always know the opponent’s location, strength and intentions. He continuously embarrassed opposing generals who with overwhelming superior force would retreat from him or surrender.
His assignments included:
- Lieutenant colonel, Forrest's Tennessee Cavalry Battalion (October 1861)
- Colonel, 3rd Tennessee Cavalry (March 1862)
- Brigadier general, CSA July 21, 1862)
- Commanding cavalry brigade, Army of the Mississippi (summer-November 20, 1862)
- Commanding cavalry brigade, Army of Tennessee (November 20, 1862 Summer 1863)
- Commanding cavalry division, Army of Tennessee (Summer 1863)
- Commanding cavalry corps, Army of Tennessee (ca. August -September 29, 1863)
- Commanding West Tennessee, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana (November 14, 1863 - January 11, 1864)
- Major general, CSA (December 4, 1863)
- Commanding cavalry corps, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana January 11 - 28, 1864)
- Commanding District of Mississippi and East Louisiana, Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana January 27 - May 4, 1865)
- Commanding cavalry corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana January 28 - May 4, 1865)
- Lieutenant General, CSA (February 28, 1865)
When Forrest captured Fort Pillow a controversy developed over reports of a massacre of the largely black garrison. General J.R. Chalmers who served in Forrest's brigade accused the partisan press of falsehood and later as a Congressman he formally refuted the rumors on congressional record. Dr. Fitch of Iowa, A Union surgeon who was present, also vindicated the Confederates. Still the controversy exists.
Most of his wartime activities were campaigns against the union in Tennessee and Kentucky and defense of the western front in Mississippi and Alabama. He thwarted an attack by Colonel Strait on the ironworks of Montevallo and repelled General Sherman’s attempt on Selma at Meridian.
Finally on April 2, 1865 a force of 17,000 specially trained and equipped cavalry commanded by Major General James Harrison Wilson defeated Forrest at Selma Alabama. General Forrest escaped across the Cahaba River.
After the war Forrest became president of the Selma, Marion & Memphis Railroad while attempting to restore his lost fortune by planting. He also held a leadership position in the Klu Klux Klan. Lt. General Nathan Bedford Forrest died at Memphis on October 29, 1877, and is buried there.
William Montgomery Forrest: Captain Forrest was with his father Nathan Bedford Forrest in all the campaigns that caused the world to ring with his fame. He was wounded three times; at Fort Donelson, at Harrisburg and at Spring Hill, Tenn. He was paroled at Gainesville, Alabama May 11, 1865.
site by Com'See
