The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-30

Anecdote OF a Great Soldier and Rare
Military Genius.

u
Military Genius.
Harper's Weekly.
Lord Wolseley, commander Of the English
army, and General w. I. Sherman have
said that, had General Nathan Bedford For
rest received a military 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 Dr.. John A.
Wyeth, and which is to be published short
ly by Harper & Brothers, IT is easy TO I'M
derstand why Forrest should be so esteemed
by ali who are best qualified to judge.
General Forrest was keenly appreciative
of the necessity of giving his personal at
tentiOn to the smallest details connected
achieve success. He was not content to
accept reports from even his most trusted
and faithful subordinates. but he made care
full inspection of his artillery, the harness,
and the condition of the animals well as
the men, and held his officers strictly ac-
countable for keeping his command supplied
with ammunition, forage and rations-
Nothing seemed TO escape his careful scru-
tiny. When on the march, which usually
by the roadside and observe regiment after
regiment as they passed before him. He
would then mount his horse and ride
II were raining and he saw q cartridge box
exposed to the weather, the DELINQUENT need
expect no mercy from the commander. II in
Consider himself fortunate to es-
cape with, with s. repri1Tand, His quick
tender-footed animal. or one that did not
seem 10 be well-fed or properly cared for. A
veteran of Forests command informed the
writer than on one occasion the general or
dered him to leave the ranks, remarking:
why do you let your horses back get soref
Take your saddle off and let me see what
is the matter" On exposing the animals
back IL was found to be chafed. Forrest rep
rimanded him and dismounted TO give him
a 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 a horse
with sore back; there is no need of it."
few days later the general recognized the
trooper, and also noticed that he had not
fixed the blanket as he had been instructed.
and, narrating the circumstance. the trooper
said: II did not get off so easily that time.
The general gave me hell, but IL taught me
a lesson never forgot"
The precautions he took for the comfort
and safety of his men were fully appreci-
ated, and formed one of the strong bonds
Of attachment between the soldiers and their
commander. When they bivouacked for the
night in proximity to the enemy, he never
rested until me saw In person that the pick
cts were properly posted, and that expert
enced and reliable men were detailed for i'm
portant duties. His men felt the most inn
plicit reliance in this watchful care for
themselves. A lieutenant of the escort said:
I'VE had the confidence in him which / i'm
agine the Old Guard had In Napoleon. On
one occasion, while we were supposed to be
in a very dangerous position, with the ene-
my all about US, we were ordered TO go into
camp for the night. There were some new
recruits with US. who. seeing the older MEM
bers Of the command preparing TO lie down
and 60 &c sleep, said: You don't expect 20
lie down and go to sleep with the enemy all
course we do; General Forrest told US TO
do it"