The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-04
=
A GREAT MAN HAS FALLEN.
THE DEATH OF GENERAL FORREST
s,supbls Appeal. Oct. 80.

peoDle in their struggle for Independence,
whose life was as stormy as the tempesta
ons sea, and whose valor, patriotism ana
brilliant achievmente have made his name
and fame imperishsble, has ceased to be
dweller of the earth. He bresthed bis last
about seven o'clock last evening, at the
residence Of his brother, Colonel Jeese A.
Forrest, on Union street, in this city. 10
those who have for several weeke watched
| with sympathetic apprehension the condl-
| tiOn of General Forrest, the announcement
of his death viii, not be a surprise. They
| saw the pulae of life beating weak and low
| in his fevered veins, and knew that the eb-
| bing tide would soon cease to flow. But to
| the many who have f9r years- been aecus-
| toned to see his erect figure, his towering
form, perfect 10 it's majestic manhood and
symmetrical beauty, the intelligence of his
! death will bring shock Of surprise and
| sorrow. For the past three years General
| Forrest has made Presidents Island, two
miles below the city, his home, where he
was extensively engaged in planting, and
mostly with convict labor. He embarked
in the enterprise with all the energy of his
enthusiastic nature, and close attention to
business and long exposure impregnated
his eystem with malarial poison which gu
perindu uced chronic Inflammation of the
bowels, and which, for six months, has
bafaed tho combined skill of our best ply
sicans. So robust in mind, vital in
nature, aud so strong and fresh in his man.
hood Yves General Forrest, that he never
despaired of his recovery until Sunday
morning last. He seemed to think that
the indomitabfe will which had so often
conquered on the field of battle could hold
in check even an enemy as remorselsss as
death, and he was hopeful until Sunday
morning, when he consented to be removed
TO the city, where he could die among his
friends. He was greatly fatigued by the
trip, and gradually grew worse until he
expired. Over twelve months ago General
Forrest Joined the Cumberland Presbyte-
rian church, asd since that time he has
been an exemplary christian. His pastor,
Rev. DR.. Stainback, visited him Thursday
last and fousd him happy in the blissful
knowledge that he was prepared for eter.
nifty. General Forrest was born on tho
thirteenth day of July, 1921, and was
therefore little over fifty six years Of age.
His birthplace was near Duck river, in
what was then Bedford county, Tennessee,
but which has since been made part Of
| Marshal county. His twin sister grew to
beautiful womauhood, and after marrying
young gentleman by the name of Glover,
| she removed to Texas, where she died in
giving birth to her first child, In 1884
William Forrest, the father of the subject
| of this tribute, moved to Tippah county,
Mississippi, where he died in 1887, leaving
! seven sons and three daughters. N. B.
Forrest being the eldest of the children,
be was compelled to labor for the support
| of the family, and was therefore deprived
of an opportunity to receive even rudi.
mentary education. In 1886 and 1887 he
had an opportunity for attending school,
which he turned to good account, as he
rapidly learned to read and write, and the
value of figures, in which he was an ex-
pert in his immense business transactions.
In 1S4I N. B. Forrest removed to Texas,
but soon returned to help take care of his
mother and her large and helpless family.
In 1912, he removed to HerBando, Missis-
sippi, and in lS45 he became involved in q
personal encounter with the Matlocks and
their overseer, In which be frat displayed
that iDdomitable courage, GOODNESS and
determination which were so conspicuous
in his subsequent brilliant military career.
On the twenty fifth day of September, lS45,
N. B Forrest WAS married to Mary Ann
Montgomery, who still lives, universally
beloved by all who know her, and who has
ever been fond and affectionate wife. In
1852 the deceased removed from Hsrnsndo
to Memphis, where he has ever been recog-
nlzed prominent businese nan and
useful citizen. He was often elected Alder
mRn from his ward, aud no man was more
enLerprising or safer 10 conucil. Successful
IN all individual undertakings, he applied
the same sound judgment to the affairs of
the city, and WAS, therefore, always q use
full member of the city council. When the
War was declared between the States,
General Forrest, by economy, thrift, aud his
practical good sense, had accumulated an
immense fortune, and would soon have
been q millionaire. In June, 1857, General
Forrest added to the reputation he had
already made by rescuing from the infuri-
ated mob, john Able. There are many
stiil living who will boar testimony to his
heroic bearing on this occasion. He cut
the rope which the mob had tied around
the neck of Able, aud marched the prisoner
back to Jail amid the Establishments Of
knives and pistols, and the howls for mur-
der. General Forrest ia the last of seven
brothers, with the exception of Colonel
jesse A. Forrest, of this city. He has q
half brother and half-Bister still living.
We shall not attempt, in this hasty obituary ,
to go into history of General Forests
military career. The writer of this was at
his side for nearly three years, and had
ample opportunity for sounding the length,
the breadth, the depth, and the greatness
of the man who has made an imperishable
fame as a military genius. From the bat
tie of Shilo to his surrender at Gainesville.
in every successive engagement he added
new laurels to his fame, and posterity will
do justice to his memory. He was born q
military hero, just as men and women are