Who was Nathan Bedford Forrest? (Part 1)
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2024
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Major General William T. Sherman, the officer who disemboweled the Confederacy with his marches across Georgia and through the Carolinas, understood the nature of total war. That uniquely qualified him to offer assessment of one of the most remarkable and yet controversial officers in all of the Confederacy.
During the war, Sherman spat out, “that devil must be hunted down and killed if it costs 10,000 lives and bankrupts the Federal Treasury!” Later, in reflection, he offered that that devil, militarily speaking, was the most remarkable man the Civil War produced on either side.
For this episode, part 1 of the man and officer who, particularly in these times, remains a lightning rod for knee-jerk-like reaction - both pro and con.
This is the story of The Wizard of the Saddle. This is the story of Nathan Bedford Forrest.
#civilwar #civilwarhistory #confederate
Narrated by Fred Kiger
Produced by Dan Irving
Published by Third Wheel Media
We're looking for sponsors for this channel. If you're interested in learning more about this limited opportunity, email: info@thirdwheelmedia.com
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Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode:
William T. Sherman
President Andrew Jackson
Gideon Pillow
Abel D. Streight
Emma Sansom
D. H. Hill
My great grandfather joined Forest’s calvary upon returning to Tennessee after being released from federal detention in Pennsylvania. He walked home from Pennsylvania and joined up as soon as he got home. He was surrendered under his command.
Surrreee bud...okkkk
My 3x Great grandfather, Lt. Oren Bethal Wright, served under General Allison in the Tennessee Calvary. They also fought with Gen. Forrest and his Calvary.
A great Confederate General. Bold. Daring. Smart.
In my town were I was born in 1965 we have statues of Forrest and a big building named after him and several other tributes Georgia is my home and I love my State!
I'm from Memphis but live in Savannah GA. Actually live on Forrest Ave.
Would that we had such a fierce warrior today, our Southern Border would never have been so badly breached.
The South must rise again, my friend.
We have Abbott, and we need more like him.
@@southboundguitar The Southern spirit, yes. All GOOD AMERICANS should rise and defend this country from the evil within and from without.
As I noted in the livestream, my ancestor, Col. Francis Marion Windes, fought under Forrest. He commanded the 4th Alabama Cavalry at Brice's Crossroads and later fought a delaying action at Shoal Creek near Florence, Alabama, that allowed Forrest's command to escape across the Tennessee river to the south bank when the river was high. For this later action, he was personally commended by Forrest. The 4th Alabama fought under Wheeler as well, and I've tried to find out if Col. Windes Regiment was at Fort Pillow (I hope not). So far, I have been unable to find any clear evidence, one way or the other.
Don't believe the Yankee account of Fort Pillow. If interested, I will tell you the truthful account.
Where do you get your resources? I'm looking for some on Nathan Bedford Forest, hoping to discover any family journals, diaries, letters, and records, to gain a greater clarity of the man, his personality, vision of future, business expectations , desires for his children's opportunities, his expectations, pre and post Civil War.
He doesn't feel like a man of tunnel vision, preoccupied with his Ego, and not as much with the black/white prejudicial attitude that so many were obsessed with.
I may be wrong, but I just have a suspicion he was a man that could redefine his perspective.
The Ft Pillow incident is one that I know a bit on both sides, but neither have I pursued for the greater facts.
I suspect it was not an attractive military engagement on the part of the South.
I live about 15 - 20 North of Ft Pillow.
If you have a Public email address or contact method, let me know and I will share any Resources I might discover.
Thanks,
Beth Bartlett
Sociologist/Behavioralist
and Historian
@bethbartlett5692 The guy was a slave trader who later had his troops massacre freed slaves fighting for the union that he had a hand in bringing to Memphis in the first place. That pretty much sums him up. No redemption.
Wow! You sound as if you were there to witness it all yourself. Judge, jury, and hangman all in one. You might want to check your sissy emotional reactions before you play pretend history.
Hot air is strong with this one
Forrest was feral and fierce. Had no formal education. He was not sophisticated. He was resourceful and able to think-outside-the-box and pivot instinctually. He was a killing machine and was able to turn those in his command into loyal killing machines. He was a combat soldier who kept the enemy 'skeert'. He surely did.
My Great Great Grandfather was Col. William S. McLemore of Forests 4th Cav. My home is where all of his troops stayed right before the raid on Murfreesboro.
@@elizabethpease7603 I know he was also a lawyer and then a judge. You have an honorable southern family history. You must be proud. Hopefully wonderful stories were passed down through the generations.
My 3rd Great Grand Father was captured when Pillow surrendered Fort Donelson. Later released he rejoined his unit. Company C 27th Alabama Infantry from Florence Alabama.
Roll Tide. My great great grandfather was in the 46th from down around Montgomery. They did lots of fighting up there with you guys.
Gadsden, Alabama, on the map during the video is my hometown in the valley of Sand Mountain. We have a school named after Emma Samson. She aided General Forrest & his Confederate calvary to cut off & catch the yankees off guard in Gadsden. They were successful, capturing yankees & taking their supply. We have a civil war reenactment every September of the battle. My family fought for the confederacy. I don't believe any were in Forrests' calvary. I find it baffling that Forrest isn't recognized or gets better recognition for the talented & ruthless general that he was. It's always "William T Sherman" but Forrest was the confederate version & just as ruthless. Hopefully, all of our fellow civil war nerds here can educate or bring light to how beastly & clever General Forrest truly was. I wouldn't want to be on the opposite side against him, that's for sure!
I think that's one of the problems with historical study today. Yes "history is always written by the winning side" and everyone gets so caught up in "being on the right side of history", but it's the stories of who these people were and how they lived and died and their victories and failures that is the true story. People are rarely one dimensional, but too often we look back and make them that way without any thought to the facts of the world they lived in that shaped who they were and how they were.
Bear in mind, this is just the opinion of one old man, but I believe that if we want to successfully get where we're going, we should know where we've been and learn from other's mistakes and triumphs. It could help us all to avoid some pit falls and be better people.
My great great grandfather was in the 46th down around Montgomery. I think they did some fighting up there with you guys around Gadsden, from what I remember.
General Forrest was quite the man. He couldn’t have made it in today’s world.
I am writing a book on General George Dibrell who served under Nate Bedford and also under General Wheeler after the battle of Chickamauga. Dibrell commanded the 8th Tennessee. He is from the town next to me. I was fortunate to interview his grand daughter before she died at over 100 years old.
Dibrell was part of the raid at Carroll Station on the early morning of Dec 18, 1862. My grandparents lived close to the tracks and where the block house was that was destroyed in Forrest early morning surprise attack. I use to find mini balls in that location at Carroll Station. How might i get a finished book on General Dibrell you are writing?
@@randypick1 Yes, I wish he would tell. Thankful for the interesting information from both of you.
He most definitely would have made it.
@@bradentoncane8830 I guess we can agree to disagree.
@@jamesholbrook7785 that’s ok but I’m curious as to why he couldn’t have made it?
According to Shelby Foote, Forrest had a unique tactical and strategic skill to know how he could make a piece of ground work for him. One of the most prolific cavalry commander in all history.
One of my distant ancestors fought under Forrest. It’s really crazy how my family fought on both sides against each other. Knowing this is what developed my interest in studying the war
Actually that wasn't unique, many families had the same split, brother against brother, father against son.
also Marylanders at Gettysburg killed each other....a unique war that
@@cfcinilope thats why that war is so unique to humanity...will never happen again...literally brothers killing brothers...Johnny moves from Atlanta to work in NY, marries a yankee girl has children..conscripted to fight for Union..down in Georgia he is fighting family and old friends and killing them...then you have the border states and Eastern Tenn where counties are divided...human tragedy unprecidented...Mary Lincoln was a rabid Unionist and her step brothers killed were rebs..
There's nothing more personal than a family feud. ⭐❌⭐
Are we that naive to think this can’t happen again??? I’m not. It most certainly can and will happen again if this country doesn’t come together.
My great grandfather joined the cavalry under Forrest in 1862 at 16 and was a first sergeant when surrendered at citronelle Alabama in 1865.
Same with my great, great grandfather, David Crockett Jackson.
I grew up in a home on Forrest Street in my hometown in Mississippi. I didn’t know where the name came from until my father told me about the General.
I don't yet know where your going with this. I have done some reading on the Man, the Legend, The Forrest. I do know this; I have never met the man that had half the sand to fill Forrest's boots. This was also a time when Men were Men. Oh how so badly we need them and Him today.
When men were men and sheep were sheep.
@@FrgvDntFrgt8060and goats were goats
@@FrgvDntFrgt8060 yup! Before fluoride in our water & excessive soy in our foods...
Shelby Foote wrote a couple books about General Forrest. I picked on up and it was all I could do to put it down. It was so easy to imagine being right there.
🤣 @@7owlfthr
I can’t tell you enough how appreciative I am of the show, podcast and your efforts to help others enjoy the history that is the American civil war. Your narration is simply superb. Thank you for all you do.
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God Bless this man!
I will forever believe he is the very best of the best our nation has ever produced!
God Bless Dixie!
Yes Amen! GOD Bless Dixie
Just stumbled on this channel. And I got to say I love it! Actually history of our past. We need to learn from it. Thank you.
My great great grandfather was a "gentleman trader" from Helena across the river in Arkansas and worked with Mr Forrest.
Thanks for this documentary on General Forest Bedford. He was a piece of work for sure. Thank you!
💯👊👍💕
This is really well done. I've been following your channel for a bit, and I feel you've really come into your own with this one. It felt like a hardcore history episode
Mama just chases em off the back porch with a broom. 😂
My second G Grandfather, Cpt Stephen Carter Ragan CSA, was in the Battle of Chickamauga, serving under Johnstons corps.
His unit fought in the battle of Atlanta and continued to fight all the way to Mobile Alabama until the cessation of hostilities. Then, they packed up and went home to their farms.
Yo fam i look forward to these videos so much im not even gonna lie - my wife hates stuff like this so I wait till she’s in bed - smoke my weed pen and easy away into the best page on UA-cam. Thanks for all you do here.
Love this channel and the passion and the multi faceted tone it takes without imparting some liberal “progressive” dogma
The fact he was grand wizard of the KKK is so easily brushed under the carpet as liberal propaganda I suppose? He was a piece of crap
like he was involved in fort pillow massacre and he was a big time slaveholder
I live 20 minutes from Gadsden which there is a marker for this battle site
Glencoe or Hokesbluff? My grandparents retired in Rainbow City.
Then I live about 20 minutes from you down in St Clair county :D
Been fascinated with this man since childhood, thank you for this
Why?
Read and learn instead of asking questions
@@artwerksDallasbc of the movie Forrest Gump!!! Duh!!! Lol
My family moved to Virginia in 1681,we still own that farm. They flooded part of it in the 1960's for a hydro electric powerplant.
Such an outstanding video. Thank you for all of your research and hard work!
I do so appreciate your productions. They have so much passion and are told so well. Please keep up the amazing work and if my current condition changes I will certainly become a member. Thank you!!!
Me too! This is excellent.
Brillant tactical mind, super bad ass warrior, his courage is mind boggling to me.
The only way a soldier can do his job effectively is to recognize he is already dead so he can do his job.
Lt. Ronald Spears--------Band of Brothers.
..Wonderful history, I am reminded of the late historian Ed Bearss in your manner of narration. Thank you sir..!
He is funny to listen to. Get Ken Burns series on the Civil War, he does some commenting .
A Great American
Can’t wait for part 2
Whatever you believe, love him or hate him, NBF was an American original and legend
Overrated by the mythology of time.
Also a traitor
What an amazing display of Brit and determination, whether you like it or not, America was carved out of a wilderness by men. Just like Nathan, Bedford forest and I think my lucky stars. And I thank the Lord above for blessing. This nation with men with such metal. And I pray before this nation falls. That's some grown man intake the rains. And drive this old horse the right direction again
Arguably the best horse soldier of the war in all theaters, on either side
Mosby did better in a smaller area, under more heat. Stuart was a better cavalryman.
@@scottgoens7575from what the video said, it sounds like Forrest and Mosby were tactically similar which I find interesting.
At this time, the saber was still the main cavalry weapon and the leaders who had gone to military academies still used them. Forrest and Mosby immediately ditched theirs and equipped their men with more pistols, which made them more effective at striking faster and harder. There's even a story where Mosby wrote a letter to either McDowell or McClellan thanking him for all the new pistols his men took from Union cavalry units and to please keep sending more lol.
It seems the leaders who weren't committed to using the same old tactics taught in the academies were quite innovative for the times and saw where the future of warfare was headed.
@@samspurgeon4222 Forrest wasn't innovative in ditching the saber. It was essentially the readiness of the battlefield was proliferated with revolvers in the field. They were plentiful and so was their ammunition.
Col. Wilder of the "Lightning brigade" did the same thing by adopting a spencer and a side arm. Minty known as the "Saber brigade" still put fear into Southern troops facing them because they took pride in training specifically to the Saber. It needs to be said Forrest refused to get himself involved in close combat with Minty or in a shootout with range in Wilder. He was very aware of their strengths. Forrest refused to try and take Alexander and Redd's bridges at the Battle of Chickamauga.
Mosby literally had the Federal Army breathing down his neck. Forrest? None of that pressure at all... to many places to hide.
@@scottgoens7575 well said. Maybe innovative was the wrong word. I had read a biography of Mosby a few years ago that pointed out that ditching the saber in favor of more pistols was unique due to the accepted practice of the saber being the main weapon. I didn't know the prevalence of doing it, so thank you for the information, I try to learn when I can👍
SHOULDN'T THIS BE TAUGHTIN IN THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM 🤔. 😮😊
Of couse. As one of the worst human beings and traitors alive during and after the War of the Rebellion was concluded. Even bad examples of humanity have their teaching purposes for what children should avoid becoming.
You think?
For what reason?
🤣
They changed History to Social Studies decades ago. The new curriculum is probably researching 19th c. military trannies.
I see nothing "controversial" about this great Southern Patriot. He fought all the way for his home land.
Not even after the Fort Pillow Massacre?
@@DIZELMADE Don't care.
@@DIZELMADE Forrest gave the commanding officer at Ft. Pillow the opportunity to surrender. If he refused, he said he would not be responsible for what his men would do if he was forced to attack. Tthe fort was manned with Tennessee Unionists who had previously terrorized some nearby Tennessean locals who prodded Forrest to attack the fort although he didn't want to. Some of these locals joined in the fray, seeking revenge. As predicted, Forrest lost control of the situation, and even shot one of his own men who refused to stop shooting when ordered to.
@@tablature6121 The East Tennesseans were checking every move Forrest tried into East Tennessee. They also recruited blacks in the area to the USCT. Those East Tennesseans were merely doing what Forrest had already practiced in East tennessee.
After Forrest's defeat at Paducah, he has blood in his eye. He asked of intelligence and found Ft. Pillow the perfect target. According to his own troops it was Forrest that ordered "No Quarter" to ensure that Blacks would think twice before wearing the Union Blue.
@@scottgoens7575 Such is the Unionist's tale. I sit on mine.
Nathan bedford forrest was a beast at warfare!!!
My great Aunt Daisy , was married to a man named Edgar Forrest. Who claimed to be a direct relative of Bedford Forrest. Many times I've had cousins, aunts & uncles say , did you know ..... Edgar , was as I remember, a very smart man , was bad to drink. He passed away in the '60s.
He had no direct descendants named “Forrest”. All from his direct line were descended from his daughters. My husband is related through a collateral line with a common ancestor, though he is a Forrister whose family name began as Forrest.
@@shforrister7453 I did not say , a direct descendant ...
@@haroldharwell7078 “Direct relative”. The direct part was the part that was misleading.
My wife’s late uncle Dr. Lonnie Manus, who retired from the university of Martin, Tennessee wrote two books on general forest so it’s good to see this and you can find his books here crossroads Tennessee where I live at now at the visitor center exit 108 interstate 40 Parkers crossroads Tennessee.
It is intriguing to wonder what he could have accomplished commanding a larger force. He was an untaught military genius like Oliver Cromwell.
He tried his hand at commanding a larger force at Chickamauga... he failed miserably. The command he asked for and received from Bragg was as big as he could handle.
He wasn't a commanding field general. His expertise was raiding and causing episodic hell.
@@Powerule23 Very well said. He could not have had a larger force to lead because as you said , his prowess was action, not directing others and standing by by.
I’m from Sardis Ga and 41 years old I appreciate your channel
My favorite general. Get there first with the most men. The axiom of a winner.
My ancestors and some current family hail from in and around Neveda, Missouri; a hot bed of bushwacker activity during Union occupation. I've read extensively about the civil war including about General Forest. Your Forest narrative (part 1 & 2) is a wonderful collection outlining Forest's civil war exploits. After the war when General Lee was asked whom he considered his best general, Lee promptly replied General Nathan Bedford Forest.
Excellent history, narration, and artwork! We would have been well advised to stay on his good side! Regards, The '62 Mathew St. 1-Man Band (Total Retro Rock)
best stuff on youtube even w/ some ads
What great information and story telling. I have heard so much about him but nothing ever as good as the facts put it
Thank you Sir, and all of your helpers whomever they may be...Long Live The Confederacy! May the South Rise Again!
Amen Sir
lol
@@themillers2990 y’all finished! lol
Crazy that people still sympathize for the confederacy. Shouldn’t call yourself an American.
@@HateTheGameTXYou shouldn’t call yourself a man, if you don’t venerate and defend your ancestors. The South IS ALREADY rising again. You’re welcome. 😘
The last few letters spell STORY.. can’t wait
Stunning story and BRILLIANT narration. Midtown Sacramento Salutes you.
My paternal grandmother’s maternal grandfather served under Forrest in the 5th Mississippi Cavalry, though I have not yet learned the battles
Excellent as ever. I know very little about NBF and this is very enlightening.
(I always had my doubts about the tale of him lifting the Union soldier onto his saddle after Shiloh)
Wow what a man. I'm glad I came across this video. Looking forward to part 2. New subscriber.
I grew up in hardin county, savannah TN and roamed the banks of the TN river as a kid. Numerous trips to Shiloh and it makes me smile think he may have laid eyes on same scene. As we share the same first name.
This is the proper way to learn history.
My great great grandpa wrote about marching to Corinth Mississippi to mostly guard against sabotage of railroads that were used for supply lines to fortify the union army. He mentioned “ole Forrest” several times in un flattering terms in his diary.
I would like to read these if you have copy available please.
Awesome story telling!
Superb work again sir .... Fascinating 😊
My home county in Mississippi was named after him, Forrest County. My great, great grandfather joined and fought with the 7th Mississippi Battalion and was killed in Georgia in 1863. Horrible time in our country, but I reckon it had to happen. ☝️✌️
Alumni N.B. Forrest H.S. 1968, Jacksonville, Fla. You him honor in this video.
Shelby Foote told that fallen timbers embellishment as if it were gospel. I respected Shelby, but I think that was the novelist coming out in him.
This was done very well!
One of my ancestors, escaped fort donelson with Forrest and his men rather than surrender
.... rather than fight
I had to look up blountsville living here in Alabama then I realized the pronunciation here in Alabama for that town is the O is silent, to be blunt ) just a little pun on the word, I live 1 hour south of it which I've been there many times,
Correct. Thank you. My ears caught that, too.
The Gould Family recollections are vastly different. The running battle against Streight was on rolling ground that wound through the valley at Day's Gap. Forrest was defeated there and was angry. He found his patsy in Gould. Although it was an impossible task for an artillery officer to limber and unlimber repeatedly Forrest found fault with him. Gould by eyewitnesses was surprised by Forrest's berating him, screaming and cussing unlike he had ever seen from the General. Gould fired back and it became a heated verbal argument. Forrest stepped in closer with the open penknife that he was using to pick his teeth with. Gould seeing the personal space violated stepped back and his hands went instinctively to his weapon. Forrest seeing this attacked. The survivor's story is the only story it seems that survives today in the public.
well done, thank you for this history lesson
He was a great man
Worth listening to. Well done.
The movie “HELL ON WHEELS “ now I see where Cullen Bohannon gets his demeanor. He stated that he served under Forrest. Anson Mount even looks like him.
He was the "Prince of the Saddle",,God rest his soul
We need men like General Forrest now, in today's military.
John Wyeth wrote the best biography of Forrest that I’ve read so far.
It was lauding effort of complete idol worship. Wyeth saw him in the image of the chivalrous KKK riders much like Birth of a Nation depicted from his book.
Excellent work and well told!😊
My great great grandfather or however far back, led a guerrilla war fighting squad in civil war. It was written about and I have the documents and pictures of him. Wild how our ancestors did wild things back in the day
Jefferson Davis did not like Forrest. Davis resented being asked about what Forrest was up to. He frequently responded that anyone who wanted to know about Forrest's whereabouts should simply read the newspapers, because that is how Davis tracked Forrest.
His great great great grandson was Michael Scott from Dunder Mifflin paper.
A true Southern patriot.
traitor is the word, he fought against the US, or maybe you too dumb to know that
Outstanding!
I love all your content:)
Are you going to offer Merch? A coffee cup would be an amazing addition to my A.M routine!!:)
"Both literally raised themselves by their own boot straps." If there was ever a more FIGURATIVE expression, I don't know what it would be. How does one "literally" raise themselves by their own boot straps?
A brave man who believed in his country
Hey it`s Forrest Gump`s grandad !
Thanks for the story
Forrest's reputation has been overblown and this kind of LOST CAUSE presentation demonstrates how it's done.
"Get the skeer on 'em early and keep it on 'em." -Forrest's modus operandi. Multiple horses were shot out from under Forrest (25 to 29 by various accounts), but one in particular he really grieved over the loss of. It was the one that would run to the sound of battle. It was a natural "war horse" same as Forrest.
You are AWESOME!!!
Sherman had a genius for strategy. Forrest had a genius for tactics--the implementation of strategy.
This is excellent . I will become a supporter to keep it going
Your presentation knows little to equal it. And I think that you are very dedicated to sharing our bitter history in the War of Northern Aggression. One thing that most histories neglect to make a point of, and this is understandable because at the time there was no understanding of what that illness was, is that he was very likely a sociopath. My own family had been in contact with him and t 2nd Ku Kux Klan both before and after the war. He was outraged to find out that there were black men involved with us. The purpose being that we all had to work together to survive. The northern deconstrution demanded cotton for northern mills, but we needed to plant food , all of us. We couldn't have done much of anything without them. The south would never rise again because of his homocidal cravings, but thanks to the blues & southen rock.
Just found your channel and subbed. Love a good history teacher.
Of the men that went with him into the War, forty-seven were his own slaves. He told them they would be freed by himself, if the South won, and by the enemy if the North won. Though controversial, this would have made an interesting observation in the report.
Forrest was paid by the state of Tennessee to provide those slaves as labor. These were his teamsters.
He was a military genius, one of the luckiest men to ever live. And completely devoid of compassion for those he chose to destroy. A dyed in the wool racist, and never ask for forgiveness. Loved by all the south, hated by the north.
A man of many sides.
Outstanding video. Delivered with passion and heart.
Awesome content ❤
My favorite MAN. GOD HAS Had to BLESS HIM ❤❤❤❤❤
your not well..
@@brentinnes5151 Not at all...
Don't think so, Cletus.
For WHAT? Authorizing the murder of unarmed Union POWs? Being the first Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan?
Outstanding documentary. Thanks.
NB Forrest was a piece of work he was part genius part crazed man but if you try and go toe to toe with him in battle my friend you will lose. Its true what they do say about him of both sides he was the best soldier of the war and the most fascinating. And a great read as always
Superb Fred. The wizard of the saddle, indeed.
And Grand Wizard of the KKK
My Great Great Grandfather was in Dibrell's 8th Tennessee Cavalry assigned to General Forrest. Ordnance Sargent Henry L. Close F&S of Brig. General George Gibbs Dibrell...