Could Have Wilson Beaten Forrest...

[trice]

Originally Posted by larry_cockerham

Tim, a very small half point, but:

"I think he never faced Wheeler as well. He was still in Virginia when the September raids took place, and I think he was at HQ in Nashville for the Johnsonville raid in early November."

In a sense Wilson had "met" Forrest and Wheeler through his subcommander Edward Hatch who in turn had a long "association" with this pair of southern cavalrymen. The story of Hatch and Forrest has long interested me as an ancestor of mine was briefly in the command of one or the other of these men for a brief period. Both were fine officers as was Wilson.

Larry,

Yes, that's so. I only meant Wilson hadn't been out in the field leading men in actions against them.

Regards,
Tim

[larry_cockerham]

Forrest and Wheeler might have gladly accepted the challenge for conducting Wilson's graduate work. Edward Hatch was enough of an irritation for them. It was Hatch and Wilson who had the last subdued laugh however as Wilson got his chance in the field at Selma Apr 2 1865 against what was left of Forrest's ego and Hatch who received Forrest's surrender a bit later. I know from some reading that Thomas and Forrest were communicating extensively after the war. I wonder if Wilson and Hatch ever contacted Forrest or Wheeler once peace arrived. Since Wilson and Hatch remained career officers, the chance of that would probably have been diminished?

[oneplez]

Is Forrest cast in the same category Lee is/was? An idol of the “Lost Causers.” Who never made a mistake? Whose tactics were always perfect?


Don

[larry_cockerham]

Originally Posted by oneplez

Is Forrest cast in the same category Lee is/was? An idol of the “Lost Causers.” Who never made a mistake? Whose tactics were always perfect?


Don

Pardon me, but that statement sounds like another northerner unfamiliar with Gen. Forrest. I doubt Forrest could ever be confused with Lee, even by the most ardent 'lost causer'. I'm sure you're aware of all the reasons, such as social status, rank, education, gentlemanly conduct and a long career in the US Army. Men from two different worlds. Most folks don't understand that the "cause" is not the reason Forrest is revered in the South, but rather his efforts at killing his adversaries and defending his homeland in the process, which he did with considerable flare. Forrest made a bundle of mistakes, however few of them were repeated. His tactics weren't anywhere near perfect but they certainly improved on Napoleon's when one considered the advent of the Sharps rifle. So my response to your questions would be, no.