The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-08-09
A Rare Military Genius.

Lord Wolseley, commander of the
English army, and Gen. W. r. Sher-
man have said that had Gen. Nathan
iel Bedford Forrest received a mill
tary education he would have been
the greatest figure Of the civil war.
After reading the biography of the
celebrated Confederate cavalry leader,
which has been written by DIR. John
A. Wyeth, and which is to be pub.
lished shortly by Harper & Bros, it
is easy to understand why Forrest
should be so esteemed by all who are
best qualified to Judge.
Gen. Forrest was keenly apprecia-
tive OF the necessity of giving his
personal attention TO the smallest de-
tails cannected with his military ope-
rations in order to achieve success.
He was not content to accept reports
from even his most trusted and faith
full subordinates, but he made careful
inspection Of his artillery, the har-
ness, and the condition of the animals
as we'll as the men, and held his Off
GERS strictly accountable for keeping
his command supplied with ammu-
milton, forage and rations. Nothing
seemed to escape his careful scrutiny.
When on the march, which usually
began at daylight, he would take his
place by the roadside and observe
regiment after regiment as they passed
before him. He would then mount
his horse and ride through the column
from rear to front. IF it were raining
and he saw cartridge box exposed to
the weather, the delinquent need ex-
pect no mercy from the commander.
If in crossing stream soldier per-
mitted his ammunition to get wet, he
might consider himself fortunate to
escape with reprimand. His quick
eye detected lame or tender-footed
animal, or one that did not seem to be
we'll fed or properly cared for. A
veteran of FORESTS command inform
Ell the writer that on one occasion the
general ordered him to leave the ranks,
remarking: "Why do you let your
horses back get sore? Take your
saddle off and let me see what the
matter" On exposing the animals
back it was found to he chafed. For
rest repriinanded him, and dismounted
to give him practical lesson in the
manner Of rolling the blanket so that
the pressure would be taken from the
abraded surface. AS he rode away,
the general remarked: "You must
never again let me see you riding
horse with sore back; there is no
need of it." A few days later the
general recognized the same trooper,
and also noticed that he had not fixed
the blanket as he had been instructed,
aud, narrating the circumstance, the
trooper said: II did not get off 80
easily that time. The general gave
me hell, but it taught me lesson
never forgot.a'
The precautions he tool, for the
comfort and safety Of his men were
fully appreciated, and formed one Of
the strong bonds Of attachment be-
tween the soldiers and their comman-
der. When they bivouacked for the
night, in proximity to the enemy, he
never rested until he saw in person
that the pickets were properly posted,
and that experienced and reliable men
were detailed Ger important duties.
His men felt the most implicit reli-
ance in this watchful care of them
selves. A lieutenant Of the escort
said: "We had that confidence in him
which imagine the old guard had in
Napoleon. On one occasion while we
were supposed to be in q very danger
GUS position, with the enemy all about
US, we were ordered to 60 into camp for
the night. There were some new re-
oruits with US, who, seoing the older
members Of the command preparing to
lie down and go to sleep, said: You
don't expect to lie down. and go to
sleep with the enemy all around us,
do your The answer was: 'Of course
we do; Gen. Forrest told us to do it. ;"