The times., 1899-09-17
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acquired considerable property. Like
nearly everybody else in that part of the
South al the time. he was engaged more
or less in slave trading, but it is said that
he was a considerate master and inspired
a strong personal attachment in his slaves.
Forrest was nearly forty years old at
the time CT the breaking out of the war,
and had already seen considerable knock
about life throughout the Southwest. He
was thus particularly well qualified to as
sumo the command of his Rangers" and
quickly proved himself an able leader His
strong point was his overpowering and
unbsnding personality. He would do all in
his power to secure the comfort and safety
of his men. except change the plan which
he happened to be bent on carrying out
He paid no attention TO the ordinary rules
of tactics; he had no methods apparently;
at least, the enemy could never find cut
what they were. He was always doing
what he was least expected to do. In this
he resembled that other cavalry leader
of such widely different personality,
Fighting Joe" Wheeler. Neither Forrest
nor Wheeler could ever be counted upon
to wait till the Union forces were ready
for them
1t must be remembered that leader of
cavalry on the Southern side had proba-
bly, the finest opportunities for generalship
that have ever been afforded in great war
between civilized armies. The advantage
was all with the Southerners, the numbers
with their foes. They had knowledge of
the country in their favor, and it was
country in which that fact made tremen-
dous difference.
Western prairies and Eastern river val
leys are both very different from the sparse
iy settled. diversified wood and swamp
Il Ie II. ha h
ern man was practically bred to the saddle.
From babyhood he had been taught to re-
gard horse as altogether the most practi-
cable means Of getting from one place to
another Railways, carriages, and human
feet as means of locomotion were al dis
count beside the ever present, docile. swift
and convenient horse. Thus it was the
easiest thing in the world TO equip force
of cavalry of extraordinary efficiency. Add
to this the fact that every man. or nearly
every man, was an expert rifieman, and
you have body of all-round fighting men
such as was hard to find elsewhere in the
United States. The farmer boys and back
woodsmen OF the North could shoot but
they could not ride. They could march all
day. but they could not circumvent an
enemy with four feet and clever brain.
There was chance for brilliant work and
Forrest and Wheeler improved the oppor-
tunity. Forrest usually fought his cavalry
on foot, using the horses merely as
means of transportation. Sabres were of
little use against an infantry force, even
If all his men had been trained to their
use. and he had the common sense TO see
It
The first prominent appearance of For
rest was al the battle of Fort Donelson.
Dr. Wyeth is of the opinion that had this
battle resulted differently, Grants fame
would have remained unrecorded by histo-
ry and the whole course of the war would
have been toward a victorious outcome for
the South. Forests escape from Donel-
son, 10 his mind. proves that had that gem
eral been in full command of the Confed-
crate forces. the day would not have been
lost. Whether this is so or not, it is for
historians and military experts to judge.
No one knows just what would have hap
pened had any one battle of the war re-
suited differently.
One chapter is devoted to the somewhat
exciting narrative of Nelson's efforts to
destroy Forrest. The unfortunate I'm
ion general had infantry. in midsummer,
with which, according to Buell's orders
to hem in Forests cavalry. There
is on record despatch in which he says
in deep disgust: with infantry in this hot
weather it is a hopeless task to chase For
rests command mounted on race-horses.'
One feels a sympathy for Nelson in this
II is doubtful if a Napoleon
could have filled that order Nobody knew
where Forrest was to be until he was
there; and his coming was usually disas-
irous. If the roads were picketed he can
nily took TO the brush. If infantry came
after him he promptly retreated, to drop
upon another force miles
away 1t was like trying to catch trout in
4 soup-plate.
The kind of men in his command were
fairly well represented by a company of
Independent men, under his brother, Capt
'Bill' Forrest, who We're colloquially
known as the Forty Thieves. They drew
10 pay except from the enemy. and lived
1y foraging on the enemy when they could,
and on friends when 40 enemy was at
land. Such troops, well directed, were
uncomfortable customers to
hose whom they wished TO harass and dis
luiet.
Forrest had the defects OF his virtues
lie was daring. and sometimes rash: deter
mined. sometimes obstinate; fearless,
ometimes headstrong and inconsiderate.
lie was probably a merciful man when he
topped TO think about it. but it is rather
doubtful If he would always think. The
Inference between him and that firebrand
y
veil illustrated by a colloquy which took
lace between them just after the repulse
t Fort Donelson- It is thus reported by
he present biographer:
In roadside house, BIZ the light Of log fire,
GENERALS Wheeler, Wharton. and Forrest talked
yer the dismal failure of the day. The former,
With s7ngleness OF purpose devoted TO the cause
the South, his personal courage of the high
st order. and his brilliant leadership attested
INV al flaau
disastrous affair at Dover, wrote his report ad
hitting defeat and without a word Of criticism
or either of his subordinates. Forrest was. how
yer. in an uncomfortable mood. nor was his ir-
liability rendered more easy OF concealment by
he injury he had received and the great fatigue
# the day. Major Charles W Anderson says:
IT was late when j reached headquarters at
Fellow Greek Furnace. Arriving there | asked
or General Forrest The general, recognizing
ay voice, came to the door, and ] was too
lear frozen to dismount he came ont and helped
ne down and into the house. Without any cere-
nony he went TO the only bed in the room, jerk
d the covering from two officers who were occu-
wing II and brusquely ordered them TO get out.
~ boots were pulled of, ! rolled up in
blankets and put in the vacated bed. General
Wharton sitting on the side of the fireplace
pposite General Wheeler, who debating his
eport 10 one Of his staff. Forrest had resumed
is place lying down on his waterproof coat in
roni of the FIRE, his head on turned-down chair,
nd his feet well on the hearth. General Whar-
on hAio- Mhen lNe siSHdl "sls given my men
moved forward, but were met with such severe |
Ire that with the exception OF the Fourth Geor-
ia and Malone's battalion, they gave way. As
We fell back | noticed the garrison from our side
4 the fort rush across to the other side to take
,ar against General Forests attack, and as |
is command caught the fire of the entire garri- |
on be must have suffered severely Forrest |
Interrupted him, saying In excited and angry |
one: i have fault 10 find with my men. In |
10Th charges they did their duty, as they have |
l,ra done At this moment General Wheeler |
enarked: General Forrest, my report does am |
ie justice to yourself and TO your men, For !
est replied: General Wheeler. | advised against |
his attack and said all a subordinate officer |