The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-08-13
RIDING WITH FORREST.
Misconceptions That Led to the Surprise Of
Federals and Confederates.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: l com.
manded one of the companies composing
the battalion to which George W. Quimby
refers in his story, Captured by Forrest
Some of the incidents he relates are fresh
in my memOry-the intensely cold wealth
er, the stOpOver at Como. and our riding
between the advance guard and main col
umn of his command.
Forests movements while making that
raid into Western Tennessee, accurately
described by Quimby, We're notably rapid
and skillful. He carried out long train
of wagons, loaded with army supplies, a
large herd of beef cattle, and many re-
cruits. AS Gen. Grant said, Forrest was
the ablest cavalry General in the South
Down this way we sometimes say he was
the greatest that ever lived.
Recurring to Quimby's story: 1t was
late in the afternoon when Forrest drove
in the pickets at La Grange, and, after
some fighting, forced the Federals to re-
treat. We charged them so rapidly, across
an old field, that two of their number, one
Captain. lay down in 4 deep gully. My
company happening to cross the gully
where they lay, l had the honor of cap
turing them. Evidently they were under
the impression that Forests men invar-
iably relieved their prisoners of desirable
clothing and valuables, as they immedi-
ately pulled off their overcoats and exhib-
tied the contents of their pockets, Offering
them as spoils of war. However, the of
ficer in command refused to accept the of
fering. Said he: please excuse me.
Keep those things. You will need them. u
The prisoners, much surprised, gratefully
retained their belongings, making no fur
Their effort TO induce us to take possession
of them. They We're placed in charge Of
Lieut.. Cherry, mentioned by Quimby.
That night my battalion was sent up
the railroad to burn some treStlework
Having performed that duty, riding all
Grange, at daybreak, to report to Gen.
Forrest. 1t was OH this return march
that we crossed road between the adj
vance guard and main body of a Federal
column. We could hear the bugle calls
and the tramp of horses, and supposed we
were in the immediate vicinity of Forrest.
Proceeding little further, We saw COM
pany guarding the railroad crossing. Then,
for the first time, we became suspicious,
and somewhat confused. Having verified
our suspicion that the troops on guard
were Federals, we charged and captured
them. Seeking information, we rode rap
idly to nearby house, where we learned
that Forrest had resumed his march some
prisoners, a few of whom were negroes
behind the men, we departed in a hurry
My men soon complained that their horses
We're tired and the negroes heavy. The
negroes were ordered to dismount and re-
port TO their commands. They dismount-
ed very cheerfully and with alacrity, but
they with difficulty grasped our meaning
when we ordered them to report to their
commands. However, the fact that they
were an embarrassing encumbrance to us
finally dawned upon their astonished
minds. By hard riding we overlook For
rest late in the afternoon. Before turn,
ing over our prisoners we took up col
lection for their benefit, presenting them
liberal sum of Confederate money
which would be useful to them in prison
They seemed to fully appreciate the do
nation. Being pleasant, gentlemanly fel
lows, our boys had taken a fancy to them
They said that when we We're riding down
upon them at the railroad crossing they
supposed we were Federals, and therefore
made no resistance.
The brave men of the North and South
should be as friendly as before the war
We are zone and inseparable" now. and
will be forever.-W. l. MCFARLAND
Humboldt, Tenn.