Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-11-14
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WEDNESDAY EVEN'G., NOVEMBER ID.
Stories about Gen. Forrest.

Forests funeral was an impressive ono, and,
strangely enough, there was only one Confede.
rate uniform in the procession. and that was
worn by the occupant Of the hearse. 'While,'
says correspondent, "the old soldiers and Con
federate officers of Memphis fairly worshipped
him, be was quite unpopular with large por
tion of the community, who feared and disikcd
him about evenly for his ferocity and reckless
temper" The correspondent adds that re
came OF terrible family, his six brothers all
being fighting men, and one of them, Bill,
desperate, the only man Of whom the General
ever Was afraid.
Forrest was one of the greatest saVe-d lers
of the South, and it is said that he was kind to
his negroes; that he never separated members
Of family, and that he always told the slaves
to 20 out in the city and choose their own mas
tera. There is no instance Of any slave taking
advantage Of the permission to run away. There
were some planters in the vicinity of Memphis
to whom he would not sell slaves at all, be-
cause they had the reputation cf being cruel
masters. As soldier his arbitrary ways
and impaticncc of control we're always in.
volving him in trouble with his superlors.
He ruled his men so that they feared him
more,than the enemy, and yet oonfded in him
as though be were incapable of an error or a
fault. The war ruined him, and he set to work
rebuilding his fortunes. He bought an island
plantation on the Mississippi, below Memphis.
and contracted with the city for the labor Of al!
her petty criminals at 10 cents per day per
prisoner. He put up buildings and made the
island reformatory, and managing the planta-
ton with his demoniac energy, was on the way,
to make another fortune when the malaria OF
the island atmosphere struck him down. Age
did not make bis temper any milder than it
had been, for the correspondent tells how he
ordered suit of clothes from Memphis tailor
and after letting them lie in the shop till they
were moth.eaten, cursed the tailor most vc'
hemently for swindler and pulled out pls'
tol, roaring out his intention OF shooting the
dealer like rat. But he did not shoot, and
next day, in cooler mood, went round TO the
tailor and made him an apology so thorough
and humble that it was almost painful to listen
to. Forrest was in many desperate encounters
one of the most desperate being bis light, with
Gould. q lieutenant whom he had charged with
cowardice. As the General was sitting unarmeu
and twrling small pen knife in his hand Gould
approsched him with loaded pistol in his pock'
ct, and giving him the lie, pulled the trigger.
The hammer caught 10 the lining Of Goulds
pocket, when Forrest grabbed him with one
hand and, opening the knife with his teeth,
literally dsembowelled his antagonist ere he
could do more than slightly wound the General
with another discharge of the pistol Forrest
never acknowledged himself to have been plac
ed 'in bad fix" except once. Gen. CHAIN
ers and merchant in Memphis, named D. {.
Davis, had some small disagreement. which III
spired Chalmers with strong desire to go
and see him." On the way Chalmers met Gen.
Forrest and asked the General to 60 there along
with him. Forrest went, ignorant OF the real
state of affairs. Scarcely had the two generals
arrived at the head of the stairs leading to
Davis business Office, when the door was sud
denly flung open and Davis Knocked Chalmcrs
from the top Of the stairs to tho bottom; The
next instant he presented heavy revolver at
Forests head, explaining And this is what
I've got for you-two Confederate generals
coming to whip one mani" "Hold on hold
on, MIR. Davis' cried Forrest; there's some
mistake here 1 dido t know there was any
trouble between you." He was glad to get
away. and began to Inquire what sort. OF man
that J. G. Davis was. Folks told him Davis
was one Of the most quiet, pcaceabc, men 10
town. "Well, he may be peaceablc,' returned
Forrest, "Dut he put me in the tlghte5t place !
was ever in 10 my life. Yet he never showed
any ill-will to Davis afterwards, evidently ad.
miring his pluck.
CHEAP COOKING PhlladclphlaDs arc
gradually developing system for relieving
somewhat the eternal drudgery OF housekccr
ing. Family baking Of meats. pics. puddlngs,
cakes, and bread ia being performed by bakers
at very moderate charge. Thus, for pies, two
cents piece; for bread loavcs, four cents pan;
for rice puddings, three cents pan; for pan
of roast meat, five cents. BY this method tho
food is better cooked aud hours Of tiresome at
tendance on little cooking stoves are saved.
These latter supposed useful mcchanlsns, in
reality furnish great tax ou the housewives
time and patience. They involve continual
watching to be kept at the proper heat The
labor Of ten horses is expended every year III
bringing Goals for them, and they keep the at
mosphere at an insutferablo temperature i"
warm weather.-Nca York Graphic.
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