The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-27
Bedford Forrest.

.. Bedford Forrest.
 Nashville American.
 Commenting on the recent Forrest reunion at Memphis, The New York Sun says: "The South as a whole did not take much interest in the Forrest reunion. Except in the local papers reports of 1t were meagre. But in Tennessee the fame of Forrest en- dures with no less of lustre, and par ticuiaTly is t cherished in Mem- phls' where he lived before and after years had passed since he surrendered his ragged forces at Gainesville, the celebratien was notable success. ai- upon 1t. There was oI a parade Of Fen. Fen. nessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Akansas, Missouri, Kentucky and Texas troops. snes mese snosts od sauagrons and battal. and their numbers few; there were oratiens at the Forrest monument in the park named aaI after the General, the and Southern hospitality displayed itself Tn a grand barbecue and gift of. edibiss Of every description by the
 The Sun, which Is one metropolitan newspaper which manifests an fntelli- gent interest In matters in all sec- lions oI the common country, makes
 Tt is a curious thing that such an- niversaries in the land of the Lost and % gaysty that s seems Du sG infreqnent at similar celebrations in the North. Here we take such pleasures sadly or in matter of fact Eay. The southeEners of the blrfh days Of their leaders and to celebrate the valor and skill of their soldiers Perhaps the temperament the exnrberance manifested on such occasions, and h part 1t Is due to pride In, the worldwide fame of eommapders xfftn hA u crSkN al e.AA Au raft m with raw levies and makeshift equip-
 There is perhaps less of this sen the people have not ceased to mali- fest q proud and sympathstic ipteTest in the veterans of 3 war fought be. population was born. There are many veterans however, who are not dis posed to take an active part in thess TsSnions n,Fac and dIsplsys 9r to wsar ,sst the Concerning General Forrest The Sun
 seartainly Nstsaa a E Bedford Forrest character. His genius as a tactician can not, however. be denied. To his amazing. resourcefulness and mastery of the art of war, which was insttnc- tive with him, for he was woeful1y H. literate and had scant knowledge of the drill book, such military authori- paid es G tribute. The Forrest literature aa i is already abundant, and there is at least one biography which IS indispensable sion, Forests bulletins may amuse the choolboy; we may see hrmor in their grotesque expression, and Fort Pillow may be am, an dnefadica9ls e. e, staln tai, go down in History as soldier of ex- tarordinary powers which must be stamped Eith the name of gsnsl3n,s:; gIs3,s: on like as an independent commander was
 "The South surely does not love Fora but It's admiration of him as a leader Is natural, and as long as the war IS remembered his deeds will be cele-
 Forrest is not above criticism. He had faults eyep as a soldier, but as rule his critics do not do him jus
 es pat @ an Tas not aa ad While he may not have been "a moral force or levable character" he was not sare5 forse S%6 elssn hogsst Nst many great captains or notable fight CTS are what may be termed 'lovable men" Neither Grant nor stonewall soldiers were their ardent admirers, Andrew. Jackson was hardly what would be. called lovable character, ious and self willed. Forrest was q stern man witA something of 2 savage temperament. Those in position to Fort Pillow is not a stain upon Fim- The commander of the fort. who was in liquor. was largely to blame for lentless in battle, but he did not sisy prisoners. Forrests's tactics are stud led in the United States army by of- students of Europe are familiar with his methods. Measured by what he did Bedford Forrest was great sol