Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-15
GENERAL FORREST
Interesting "reminiscences OF the Great
Cavalry Leader-His Little
3COurtship" With
Washburne at Nemphis-GOOd Advice TO
Young Men-IIis DenunciatiOn of
LincOln's Assassination.

+ B. Randolph in the Philadelphia Times.
The fiat had gone forth. Forrest, who for
so long had baitled for a cause he de emed
just, must sheathe his sword that, like 4
flaming meteor, his troops had followed
through many a hard-fought combat. The
day after Forrest had announced, by pub
lished order or address, that he, by command
OF General Dick Taylor, had surrendered,
the writer had the opportunity of listening
to long conversation between GeAeraI For
rest and some of his officers Neither in
appearance or in manner did he resemble
that hard-ridiDg, hard fighting cavalry
leader that he had Shown himself to be- One
of the Young officers present had on a new
coat, with the insignia Of rank upon it. The
general pleasantly remarked to him:
Captain, you ought to have had your
coat made in the citizen style, like mine"
At this time Forrest had on a suit Of gray
cloth, made strictly after civilian cut. Some
remark was made about the generals suit,
whereupon he gave its history, as follows:
Said he, "Whsn l made that night-dash into
Memphis some OF my crowd captured and
brought off the uniform coat of the Federal
commander, General Wsshburne, the general
himself barely escaping capture. l found
occasion, not long afterward, of restoring the
general his coat, which | did in polite
way. Washburne reciprocated the favor by
mt SuOuSu nue. gray Clolu tNnlGh ue
well knew WAS sc arce with us) 10 make full
uniform. Fortunately, l did not have il
made up right away, and now have good
citizens suit to wear"
General Forrest seemed to enjoy talking
about the little "courtship," as he called il
that was carried on between General Wash
burne and himself. Upon the same occasion
Forrest entertained his numerous listeners
with many of his war experiences. He evi.
in fol las
over again. Much that he said, coming
from an ordinary man, would have sounded
like Boosting, self-glori6cation. But Forrest
was not such a man. Everything he said
impressed his hearers with its truth. His
manner wEs such that no one thought
of bravado or Boosting. 1t was
Just about the time the news came Ct
President Lincoln's death. Forrest de-
nounced in unmeasured terms the manner oil
his taking Off" Said he: "For my part,
went into the war TO fight, and my idea is that
fighting means killing in war times. | did
fight, and did all the fair killing could; bu
not even in war times am in favor Of assas
sination. i have no idea that any of our
leaders had anything to do with the killing
of Mr.. Lincoln. As Southern soldier / am
sorry that he is dead"
Much more on this subject was said by
Forrest at the time, but l will not attempt
more indu as navel Inc suDstaiiCe VI
some Of his remarks. He wound up his
conversation with this remark: Young men
go home, take off your military, the war is
over; make as good citizens as you have sol
diers, and all will be well; that is what
will do" That he kept his word his
after conduct clearly proved. He fully
, and in truth accepted the situation
and lived the lite OF quiet, IA"abidine
citizen. But Forrest is dead, and many o
those who sixteen years ago listened, along
with the writer, to his conversation in from
of the Flaw Office" in tie little village o.
Gainesville, Alabama, have laid down theil
arms forever. The bugle will never again
summon them to shoots and saddles" With
in sixteen years thousands who, like the
wizard of the saddle" passed through tbs
bloody war, have since been called to tina
land "where wars and rumors OF war" ar,
never heard.