That Devil Forrest

I've read the dry memoirs of a few Civil war heroes. Grant, Sherman, Sheridan. They're fine. But if you want the real guts'n'drive factor of this war, this doctor's story of Forrest is what you're after. As another reviewer has mentioned, when you get into other major characters you actually find less good action, more weakness, time-wasting. Forrest has his flaws, but more along the lines of all of ours. Hold a grudge if you like, but give the story its due. This has it all, in spades.The doc is a passionate storyteller but doesn't prejudice the tale. He's written to a fine line.The other major biographer, Steel, is known as the fairest (and the most recent and "professional"), but with him we get excessive DRYNESS. Who needs that. Moreover, Steel bends over backwards to discredit the hero Forrest, giving more than equal time to every potshot against him. This is called fairness. The shots never hit their mark even with Steel, yet he gives them their due and their due dilutes, taints and distracts the story. ---Even more so than Forrest's own flaws do! (Touche'.)Wyeth is a clean historian yet lets the story's vigor come through just right. The adventures of Forrest will keep you riveted from start to finish. There's no other way to put it. Forrest's covering of Hood's (?) final retreat was, in that day, declared to be the inevitable future subject of EPIC poems. We haven't seen any such thing, sadly. But that's the scale of this story. It would still be worth the effort, I think. A movie anyone?Of course, every angle is worth savoring---including the old partisan Lytle's "Critter Company" bio. But enjoy the doc. --JP

Nathan Bedford Forrest was one interesting character. A self made millionaire, most definitely an entrepreneur by today's standards, he was a maverick in every facet of his life. Shelby Foote called him the only genius, other than Abraham Lincoln, that the Civil War produced: High praise indeed.It is easy, with the benefit of hindsight, to paint him with the brush of evil and dismiss him. Slave trader, first Grand Dragon of the Klu Klux Klan, the Ft. Pillow massacre, these are not the calling cards of sainthood. But if we try to view life as he saw it, if we can empathize with him enough to where we can react to his environment, during his times and with his skill set, then maybe we can come close to understanding Mr. Foot's comment.The Southern High Command did not develop senior generals well. They anointed 8 at the start of hostilities. Without exception, those that weren't killed or injured were still in charge of things at the end of the war. Forrest was one of the few who earned the right to fill the ranks of those who fell.Independent, devoted to the cause and goal driven he pounds his way to the top. One of his key adversaries, William Tecumseh Sherman, gives him his finest accolade with the words 'that Devil Forrest'. He is a tenacious fighter and good at his job. Judge for yourself, but no one on either side fought under greater hardship, with fewer resources, while amassing a string of truly pivotal victories than he did. No Lost Cause apologia here, Forrest is the genuine article, a true Confederate war hero. You may not wind up liking him but you will wind up respecting him.

First published in 1899 as "The Life of General Nathan Bedford Forrest", this renamed and updated account is not only full of facts, but the presentation of them is made most readable. Motivational interest in this subject for me lies in the fact that a Great grandfather was a member of the Kentucky Brigade under service with Gen. Forrest in several of his most famous battles, i.e.- Tishomingo Creek (Brice's Cross Roads). This book was the first I'd read concerning Gen. Forrest's life and career. Since then I've read and studied much concerning Gen. Forrest, even travelling to some of the battlegrounds associated with his military campaigns. I think that Allen Wyeth treated the subject of Gen. Forrest with the respect and dignity due such a great man, without white-washing the controverial portions of his nature and career. He brings Gen. Forrest to life with startling clarity in this original account, full of subject material gleaned from actual eyewitnesses and other people from all walks of life who were acquainted with him. Enough time had gone by when the book was first published to gain an even better perspective on the life & career of this most remarkable soldier and man. Truly the very nature of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest is emboided in this book by highlighting his well known theory put into practice that: "The time to whip the enemy is when they are running."

This is one of the first Civil War books I've read. It's hard to imagine I'll ever find a more thrilling one! Forrest is a hero beyond compare. It's amazing how Wyeth's dry, barebones delivery so clearly lets one read the amazing human spirit between the lines. These bare facts alone tell a tale more thrilling than any I've come across to date. Of course, sometimes our good doctor tips his hand with feeling and fervor about honor and good work, but he never seems biased, nor overloading our hero with praise. He relies heavily on clippings of official reports from both sides. I would say the Northern leadership appreciated him more than the Southern leaders. The "unlettered soldier" sure seems to have been screwed over by the old boy's network many times in response to his victories and saves. There's frustration, but also a sufficiency of comeuppance and a steady faith in virtue as its own reward. Forrest's occasion for nearly throttling Bragg was unforgettable: "If you ever again try to interfere with me or cross my path it will be at the peril of your life." Forrest was big, strong, scary and his men loved him. He raised multiple armies from nothing and equiped them by way of victory, only to have them taken away, re-officered and such. He was quick to temper and just as quick to apologize if need be. God's own democrat, as they say. A rare general who fought at the front every time. Killed 30 himself. An early innovator in guerilla war. Used flying batteries at the front. Used rumor and deception. He did much of his own reconnaisance behind the lines. When charged, he never took a charge but charged back, saying he believed a charging man was worth 3 standing. His famous saying "get there the firstest with the mostest" seems to be typed differently here. Likely his grammar cleaned up? It never says he was illiterate, but was he close to this? Anyway, I'd never heard of him until now. Perhaps being a Northerner had something to do with it? My loss, until now. Despite being shafted often, it seems like he was able to always keep his 'escort' of about 80 plus a few brigades thru most of the story as he builds and loses armies to his rivals. I sense more great drama involving those who stayed loyal to him throughout. If ever split from him awhile they seem to come back to him like a magnet. I'm hoping to find that side covered by Lytle's 'Critter Company.'

This book, written by a Civil War veteran, gives great insight into one of the most interesting military commanders ever. It should appeal to anyone with an interest in the effects a strong personality can have on history. Forrest's ability to quickly assess a difficult situation and act efficiently and dramatically is astounding. Also of great interest is the extremely difficult circumstances endured by soldiers and civilians alike during this terrible period. While the book is written by a Southerner, the author's perspective is one of a diligent historian and deals frankly with the controversies that surrounded General Forrest. Anyone who reads this book should find their time extremely well spent.