Captain Samuel Freeman, Freeman's Battery. While Morton is the memorable and highly capable artillerist we most associate with Forrest, his first favorite was Capt Samuel Freeman. Morton, after his release from a Union POW camp, was sent to Forrest by a subordinate of Bragg's. Eager to serve and only 18, the 'tallow-faced boy' did NOT impress Forrest favorably. Maj Anderson reported that Forrest exploded. What did Bragg send him now, Freeman would not be interfered with, I won't stand for this! Once the air stopped being blue, Forrest found Morton was more than up to his high standards.
Freeman was an excellent battery captain and Forrest had every right not to want to part with him. However, at Franklin in April of 1863, Freeman was murdered. His battery was overrun by the 4th US cavalry - when they heard the sounds of Forrest attacking to support the battery, they told the prisoners to run or be shot. Freeman had been badly injured during the fight in the knee and could not run, so he was shot dead. Forrest himself came upon the body and picked Freeman up, tears in his eyes. "Brave man, none braver," he murmured. Capt Freeman was buried in a Confederate grave along with 37 others at Spring Hill, TN. Recently a marker has been put up for his contributions.
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