The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-08

finishing 1t. 1T is the Lille OIL 1ellef-
al Nathan Bedford Forrest" by John
Allan Wyeth, NJ. d. 1t is well illus
trated, and is published by Harper &
Brothers, the old book publishing
house in New York city 1t has been
out about five years. 1t is a large oc-
tavo, and costs 81. The biography is
well done in the main. The style is
clear and animated. It's chief fault
is excessive elaboration in places. 1t
would be excellent material for a mas
ter in biography Macaulay or a
Lockhart or Henderson, if the
merits of the latter are not misrepre-
scented to me as they appear in his
very remarkable Life of General
Thomas j. Jackson. The Wyeth life
reads like q series of chapters from
the arabian Nights so full of sur
prises, romantic situations and mar
vellous denouements. l believe my
self that he was the greatest COM
mander of cavalry who ever lived
greater than Murat or any command
er of cavalry under the great Ma
poleon. The only possible rival sug-
gested is the Englishman in India,
Lord Give. If you would see what
prodigy he was read the admirable
sketch of him by Lord Macaulay.
Bedford Forrest was born in a log
L
Carolina stock His grandfather, Ma
than Forrest, emigrated from North
Carolina to Middle Tennessee in 1906.
William Forrest, his father, was born
in North Carolina in 1898. Bedford
had but little chance for an education.
At the age of twenty he volunteered in
the army for the Independence of
Texas. When twenty-five he married
Mary Montgomery. He proSpered in
tn n
came a broker in real estate and ne
groes, and also became a planter on
a very large scale. He quit the slave
trade, and went to ginning cotton in an
extensive way. When the war between
the South and North began he enlist
ed as a private on June IA, 1861. He
soon attracted the attention of peo-
pie and displayed great energy and
tact. He organized a battalion and
his first fight was at Sacramento, Ken
lucky, December 2Sth, 1861. He there
began his famous manoeuvre that
gave him such great and repeated
victories-to attack by the rear, flank
and front. He displayed his marvel
lous powers as personal fighter, and
three Federals fell before him. His
first fight was vigorous and a bloody
pursuit followed. I cannot follow him
in his long and splendid career. He
was in scores of fights and the record
is one of dash, endurance and
splendor. The capture of Fort Donel-
son ought to have never occurred. 1t
was the fault of Generals Floyd and
Buckner, two incompetents. The lat
ter is the fellow who figured as a
candidate for Vicc-President in order
to defeat Hon. w. j. Bryan, the Demo-
cratic nominee for President. He was
as big a failure in politics as he had
shown himself to be in war. Lieut.
Colonel Forrest would not agree to
the surrender, and came out success
fully with his command. General
Pillow with a brigade also got away
successfully. Forrest was at the bat
tie of Shiloh when General Albert
Sidney Johnston was killed. Forrest
now Colonel did splendid duty as
usual. His scouts first discovered the
arrival of General Buell.. Alone af-
ter dark he penetrated the enemy's
line and returned to report the land
ing of reinforcements. In the second
days battle his cavalry covered the
retreat of Beauregard. At Monterey
he made a desperate charge and re-
pulsed Sherman's advance. Forrest
was badly wounded, and he had to
obtain a leave of absence. He return
ed to duty too soon, and it caused his
wound to reopen, and it neceSsitated
an operation for the removal OF the
ball. The capture of Murfreesbo-
rough on July Is, 1852 is considered
by General Lord Wolseley, of the Brit
ish army, as one of the most remark
able achievements of Forests extra
ordinary career. The whole account
is full of interest, and it shows For
rest as one of the worlds wonders in
genius and dash. You must read the
book for the engagements are cease
less, the adventures thrilling, and Of
&c va lyyi G "a ii
into West Tennessee in December,
1862, is full of adventure and of
course fighting was constant and
captures were abundant. A second
attack IN Tort ''s", $50 '.-ilcd. 1t
was under General 10. Wheeler. For
rests men suffered a terrific slaughter
Two horses Were killed un}er him.
and the second one fell upon him and
severely injured him.
The very celebrated pursuit and
capture of Col. Streights' raiders is
certainly one of the most astonishing
events IN the history of wars He
pursued for three days and nights
the enemies. and finally captured
them at Rome, Georgia, the Federals
being more than double the force of
Forrest at the surrender Congress
gave Forrest and his men vote of
thanks. Forrest was then Brigadier-
to the Battle of Chickamauga Gen.
eral Forrest opened the battle on Fri
day, September IS, 1868. He again
engaged the enemy on the next
morning. 1t was hot work
Throughout the day, on sun
day, Forests cavalry fought in line
of battle with the infantry. General
d. H. Hill complimented Forests
men. He headed General Granger
off, and held the reserve corps of the
Army of Tennessee in check over an
hour with his comparatively small
force. He fired the last gun of the
long battle as he fired the first gun
at the beginning. General Bragg, the
biggest failure by heavy odds in the
Confederate armies, disliked Forrest
and after the battle he relieved him
of his command. Forrest told him to
his face what q scoundrel and coward
he was President Davis assigned
him an Independent command in the
West.
Many engagements occurred until
Forrest stormed Fort Pillow, a most
daring, remarkable event one of
great brilliancy and success. one OF
the most daring and splendid of his
very many splendid fights was the