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| Nathan Bedford Forrest |
Most will agree that Nathan Bedford Forrest is one of the most ingenious as well colorful and
interesting figures of the Civil War. Depending on ones own perspective of the war and of
the man, he has been attached with conflicting stigmas; either that of having supreme
ingenuity and heroism, or looked upon with scornful shame and reproach. Embracing either
view, there can be no doubt that Nathan Bedford Forrest has earned a rightful place as an
important icon of the Civil War and military history. As to the conflicting stigmas, the following
quotes by the general will attest to his attitudes and ideals. With no better authority than
Forrest himself, the reader can best decide the merits of either view.
Taken from Forrest's final address to his troops:
SOLDIERS: By an agreement made between…the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East
Louisiana, and…[the] U.S. forces, the troops of this department have been surrendered…That we are
beaten is a self-evident fact, and any further resistance on our part would be justly regarded as the
very height of folly and rashness…The cause for which you have so long and so manfully struggled,
and for which you have braved dangers, endured privations and sufferings, and made so many
sacrifices, is to-day hopeless…Reason dictates and humanity demands that no more blood be shed.
Fully realizing and feeling that such is the case, it is your duty and mine to lay down our arms, submit
to the "powers that be," and to aid in restoring peace and establishing law and order throughout the
land…As your commander, I sincerely hope that every officer and soldier of my command will
cheerfully obey the orders given and carry out in good faith all the terms of the cartel.
…Civil war, such as you have just passed through, naturally engenders feelings of animosity, hatred,
and revenge. It is our duty to divest ourselves of all such feelings, and…cultivate friendly feelings
toward those with whom we have so long contested and heretofore so widely but honestly differed.
Neighborhood feuds, personal animosities, and private differences should be blotted out, and when you
return home a manly, straightforward course of conduct will secure the respect even of your enemies.
Whatever your responsibilities may be to Government, to society, or to individuals, meet them like men.
The attempt…has failed, but the consciousness of having done your duty faithfully and to the end will
in some measure repay for the hardships you have undergone. In bidding you farewell, rest assured that
you carry with you my best wishes for your future welfare and happiness. Without in any way referring
to the merits of the cause in which we have been engaged, your courage and determination as exhibited
on many hard-fought fields has elicited the respect and admiration of friend and foe. And I now
cheerfully and gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to the officers and men…whose zeal, fidelity,
and unflinching bravery have been the great source of my past success in arms. I have never on the
field of battle sent you where I was unwilling to go myself, nor would I now advise you to a course
which I felt myself unwilling to pursue. You have been good soldiers, you can be good citizens. Obey
the laws, preserve your honor...
N. B. FORREST,
Lieutenant-General.
Excerpt from a speech giving on July 5, 1875 at a convention in Memphis of a black civic
organization:
“I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can
exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do
all in my power to elevate every man to depress none. I want to elevate you to take positions in law
offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I have not said anything about
politics today ... Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to
make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you ... I came to meet you as friends, and
welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so.
We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment.
Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who
stood by me through the war, can contradict. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly,
and when you are oppressed I'll come to your relief.”
interesting figures of the Civil War. Depending on ones own perspective of the war and of
the man, he has been attached with conflicting stigmas; either that of having supreme
ingenuity and heroism, or looked upon with scornful shame and reproach. Embracing either
view, there can be no doubt that Nathan Bedford Forrest has earned a rightful place as an
important icon of the Civil War and military history. As to the conflicting stigmas, the following
quotes by the general will attest to his attitudes and ideals. With no better authority than
Forrest himself, the reader can best decide the merits of either view.
Taken from Forrest's final address to his troops:
SOLDIERS: By an agreement made between…the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East
Louisiana, and…[the] U.S. forces, the troops of this department have been surrendered…That we are
beaten is a self-evident fact, and any further resistance on our part would be justly regarded as the
very height of folly and rashness…The cause for which you have so long and so manfully struggled,
and for which you have braved dangers, endured privations and sufferings, and made so many
sacrifices, is to-day hopeless…Reason dictates and humanity demands that no more blood be shed.
Fully realizing and feeling that such is the case, it is your duty and mine to lay down our arms, submit
to the "powers that be," and to aid in restoring peace and establishing law and order throughout the
land…As your commander, I sincerely hope that every officer and soldier of my command will
cheerfully obey the orders given and carry out in good faith all the terms of the cartel.
…Civil war, such as you have just passed through, naturally engenders feelings of animosity, hatred,
and revenge. It is our duty to divest ourselves of all such feelings, and…cultivate friendly feelings
toward those with whom we have so long contested and heretofore so widely but honestly differed.
Neighborhood feuds, personal animosities, and private differences should be blotted out, and when you
return home a manly, straightforward course of conduct will secure the respect even of your enemies.
Whatever your responsibilities may be to Government, to society, or to individuals, meet them like men.
The attempt…has failed, but the consciousness of having done your duty faithfully and to the end will
in some measure repay for the hardships you have undergone. In bidding you farewell, rest assured that
you carry with you my best wishes for your future welfare and happiness. Without in any way referring
to the merits of the cause in which we have been engaged, your courage and determination as exhibited
on many hard-fought fields has elicited the respect and admiration of friend and foe. And I now
cheerfully and gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to the officers and men…whose zeal, fidelity,
and unflinching bravery have been the great source of my past success in arms. I have never on the
field of battle sent you where I was unwilling to go myself, nor would I now advise you to a course
which I felt myself unwilling to pursue. You have been good soldiers, you can be good citizens. Obey
the laws, preserve your honor...
N. B. FORREST,
Lieutenant-General.
Excerpt from a speech giving on July 5, 1875 at a convention in Memphis of a black civic
organization:
“I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe I can
exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do
all in my power to elevate every man to depress none. I want to elevate you to take positions in law
offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going. I have not said anything about
politics today ... Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to
make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you ... I came to meet you as friends, and
welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so.
We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment.
Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who
stood by me through the war, can contradict. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly,
and when you are oppressed I'll come to your relief.”