Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1901-03-14


with Federal troops, aud Forests
escape reads like chapter in fc-
lion. General BaelI wrote "Our
guards are gathered up by Forrest
as easily as be would herd cattle.
Why don't you do something 2"
After checking Blell's advance
upon Brsgg. who had marched into
kentucky, Forrest was again re.
arved Of his command On VEN her,
1862 and was ordered back TO Fem
9pssee to raise and equip another,
# he could.
"Bs December new brigrde
II 2 900 men had gathered around
him at Columbia; but they had vir-
fuaIiy no arms, ammunition. or
'ther equipment, and the only
source Of supply was the enemgs
EarrIsons Forrest accordingly ven-
ured to cross the Tennessee river,
though is was patrolled by gun
boats, and marched with his small
brigade into West Tennessee in the
face of more than IL 900 Federal
troops. He eluded pursuit, cap
tured Col lngersoll and his COM
nand near Jackson. c.ptared the
GARRISON at F,rked Der Creek,
hen captured Trenton and ifs gar
'lson, aud again Union Cay With
Is garrison aud destroyed Immense
quantities Of stores. b ing snr-
c'undvd finally by three brigades,
'e attacked one after the other aud
made his escape in safety, taking
Nth him 500 recruits, fullsapplirs
4 arms. ammunition. horses and
'lothes for his mee. together with
) pieces of artillery, II ctnnon, 80
wagons and teams, aud | 800 pris-
,ners.
In his account Of For 81 3 raid
INTO West Tennessee, 10 1868, BIsh-
p G.iior quotes the words Of "a
Northern correspondent, who
wrote:
I'm the face Of 10 600 Federal
roops, Forrest, with less than A.
900. has marched right through the
sixteenth Armv Corps. nine miles
from Memphis. oarrisdoff LOO wag-
nns. 200 cattle, 5000 conscripts,
lrstroyed several railroads aud
many towns,
In his successful attack on Gen.
William S Smith. Forrest stated
that he had 2 500 men engaged
,gainst 1000.
Summarizing General Forests
personal characteristics, Bishop
GATOR says
lie was a man Of immense ply
ical strength aud SIZE. and as res
'lute and audacious 10 PERSONAL en-
counter as in open battle. HIS
temper was terrific when reused,
md his Language vas often violent
md profane, but never vulgar or
obscene. He detested uncleanness,
s he despised wanton cruelty aud
,ppressiou In the midst 81 battle,
when his own life was in peril, he
sas known TO rescue CONAN ard
child from danger and carry them
ma place OF safety. While he
fhrashed scout with hickory
sithes, for giving him second hand
Information, he degraded one Of b
hest officers for trlfllng With the at
frctious Of woman. lie was un-
learned. but not ilhterate. A pen,
he said ohce, reminded him of a
snake; aud his spelling was con-
sstently wrong, but his natural ell
oqaence could move his troops to
enthusiasm. lie dad not know the
first principles Of the drill, being
sstonished at the I II OF Of q trump
et-call upon disciplined soldiers,
and yet in his general plan of bat
tie he instinctlyely adopted the ma
ture tactics of Napoleon. He ex.
ercised an authority as general
that was absolutely intoierant of the
slightest variation or disobedience,
and vet he was the genial compan-
ion of his snbordlnates and was fore
most in exposing himself in every
battle. He had 30 horses killed
under him, and with his own hand
slew 30 men,"