The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-06-28
A SKETCH OF GEN. FoRREsr

sketch of Gen Forrest, written by person who
is intimate with him:
L have just returned from Tupelo, where spent
two days with Forrest. l have listened in his en-
campment to stories of personal adventure that
transcend in exciting interest all that are narrated
IN books and that told in song and story, be-
fore knight errantry lost its attraciveness in the
absurd pages of Don Quixotte. Let me tell you
what think of Forrest what know of him
There has not been born of this revolution more
remarkable son. He is In truth the offspring of
revolution. Had there been no war, Forrest would
be distinguished solely for excellent good sense,
his lndomltable energy, and the SUCCESS that dis
tingushed him planter and tradesman. He
began life in the utmost poverty. He was indebt-
ed TO charity for bread, and for nothing to books
When l first knew him, fifteen years ago, he
was very poor He came to Memphis and for a
time the proprietor Of livery stable. In this
business he not very successful When q
"fast" young gentleman overtaxed his horses, For
rest was strangely inclined to punish the customer.
He was not popular He became slave-dealer.
By his truthfulness and excellent judgment as to
the value of negroes he became the agent and pur-
chaser of slaves for the PLANTERS of the valley of
the Mississippi. He grew rich apace When the
war began he himself was one of the wealthiest
planters whose home was in Memphis His credit
with merchants and bankers S,limitless His
capital was more than half million dollars.
At the beginning of the war he amused himself
for time by running the blockade from Louis
vile to Memphis He brought out from Louis
vile, when that city was occupied by large Fed
erai force, horses and equipments for company Of
cavalry. He then undertook to raise regiment
of mounted men. This accomplished, he joined
Albert Sidney Johnston at Bowling Green. In
every encounter with the enemy he was the victor
He killed the first man with sabre who thus lost
his life after the began His victim was
Kentucky renegade, huge fellow, who bestrodc
powerful horse. Forrest pursued him mile or
two The Kentuckian finding escape impossible,
turned to fight Their sabres cashed. The Skin
from the back of the Kentuckian's head was peeled
off, Staggered by the blow, the Kentuckian could
not parry the next stroke. Forests sabre passed
through his body
= His next achievement announced at Fort
Donelson, whence he escaped when the place was
surrendered. He rode over the battle field of Shi-
loh like another Mars, was wounded, but only
maddened by pain which would have consigned
other men to the hospital. In his coDficts with
infantry and cavalry he uniformly successful.
He next captured MurlreeSboro', with garrison
stronger than his own force. Then came his
famed pursuit Of Streight. When Streight had
surrendered he complained TO Forrest that he
(Forrest) had deceived him 20 his strength.
"Here," said Forrest 'tare your arms, those of
your men shall be returned to them; here is
open field; can settle the question of valor
numbers are nothingW Streight was silenced.
In the recent fierce encounter with Smith and
Grierson, at Okolona, Forrest himself killed eight
men Two Of these fell beneath his heavy blade.
lis men watch his battle flag. They gather around
it, and will follow it into the very jaws Of death.
They know that Forrest himself. ever fights be-
meath its folds He loves fight as other men do
game of cards, and says he can't keep out of one.
lie is constantly urged by officers, soldiers, and
citizens to avoid needless exposure of his person,
but all in Vain The noise of battle is the only
music that ravishes the senses of Forrest.
Ordinarily he is mild and placable, but when
maddened is very iend incarnate. He is merci-
less to whom he suspects Of cowardice, and
the most exacting Of all commanders. He is six
feet in height, perfectly proportoned, and endued
with wonderful strength His eyes arc blue and
have very mild expression, his complexion sal.
low, his hair very black, his forehead very broad,
and his manner nervous He is never sti and in
social intercourse laughs much though never bois
terCusly. He delights in telling stories of the
achievements of his He says his are the
truest soldiers that drew sabres.
His wife and son are with him. The wife, an
excellent womau, unaffected in her manners, of
profound religious convictions, by her excellent
good sense and many virtues has kept Forrest out
OF many row. LII pTeseuCc He i5 alWAJs e6u-
tie and kind !; but now and then, even in the midst
of the monotonous duties incident to idleness in
camp, he yields the mastery to bis ungovernable
temper.
A TRADITIoN.-There is charming tradition
connected with the site on which the temple of
Solomon was erected 1t is said to have been oc-
cupied in common by two brothers, one of whom
had family, the other bad none. On. this spot
there was sown field of wheat. On the evening
gathered 10 separate shocks the older brother said
to his wife:
"My younger brother is unable to bear the bur-
den and heat of the day; | will arise, take of my
shocks and place with his without his knowledge"
The younger brother being actuated by the same
benevolent motives said within himself:
"My elder brother has family but | have
none; | will contribute to their support; l will
arise, take Of my shocks and place with his with
out his knowledge"
Judge On their mutual astonishment, when on
the following morning they found their respective
shocks undiminished. This course of events
spircd for several nights, when each resolved
in his mind to stand guard, and solve the mystery.
They did so; when on the following night they
met each other nalf way between their respective
shocks with their arms full. Upon ground hal
lowed with such associations this the Tenn
ple of Solomon erected--so spacious and magpii-
cent the wonder and admiration Of tho world.
Alas! in these days. how many would sooner steal
their brotber's whole shock than to add to il one