Last year I had the pleasure of reading Dr. Michael R. Bradley's book "Nathan Bedford Forrest's Escort and Staff."
The last part of the book is a compilation of records from the Reunions the members and staff attended long after the CW ended. One of the most poignant memories about the civil war was expressed in a letter read at the reunion of 1884, written by Lee H. Russ who was known as the baby of the escort having joined at age 16. That story in itself is interesting, but the one I wanted to share was his written remembrance and acknowledgment of the group as he couldn't attend in person the Sept 18th 1884 Reunion.
Letter from Lee H. Russ
Shelbyville, Tenn Sept 11th 1884
To the Officers and members of Association Forrests Escort & Staff
Old Comrades, to one who has looked forward to the 18th day of Sept. 1884 the day named for our reunion, with a degree of pride and pleasure, bordering on happiness, it is hard to forgo the pleasure anticipated of meeting and clasping by the hands many of the bearded and bronzed old Troopers I knew some twenty years ago. My health has been bad for some two weeks, though not sick in bed, but under the treatment of a physician, and he advises me against my going to Tullahoma thinking it may possibly do me more harm than good. But while deprived of the pleasure of meeting you in person, my heart is with you and will even still at meeting Forrest and his Cavalry. While writing my memory runs back till I again see the company line. I can picture each familiar face distinctly. Why, I even know the horses for there about the center of the line is "Crellendur" with feet stuck out on either side of "Old Roan" and next to him is Snell on "Rat" and on down I see Keen Pint on the yellow Roan and Mack Watson on the little white pony and Carpenter on big footed Charly and just off to the right of the line is Matthews preparing to mount old "Jack", noble old horse that had to forage for himself, though he bore upon his back as brave a soldier as ever rose in his stirrups at Sound of Bugle and that big hearted Lieu Cowan on "Big Dick" ever ready with a smile for march, charge, or a Bivouac. That fact is, boys, I know you all, know your horses, know the mules that Newsome drove, and if I could hear the rattle of the Sabers and Spurs I would be ready to obey the command "Mount your horses" and move at a moments warning. Wishing you much joy and happiness and hoping the organization will be perfect and substantially officered, to the end that the reunion will recur each year, and that some steps will be taken for the purpose of giving to the World at no distant day an impartial and unbiast history of Forrest Escort in the Field,
I am truly and Fraternally yours,
Lee H. Russ
Something about his recollection allows me to envision the scene as if I were there myself.
Anyone else recall a passage or letter that generated the same feeling in your readings?
Buzzard
The last part of the book is a compilation of records from the Reunions the members and staff attended long after the CW ended. One of the most poignant memories about the civil war was expressed in a letter read at the reunion of 1884, written by Lee H. Russ who was known as the baby of the escort having joined at age 16. That story in itself is interesting, but the one I wanted to share was his written remembrance and acknowledgment of the group as he couldn't attend in person the Sept 18th 1884 Reunion.
Letter from Lee H. Russ
Shelbyville, Tenn Sept 11th 1884
To the Officers and members of Association Forrests Escort & Staff
Old Comrades, to one who has looked forward to the 18th day of Sept. 1884 the day named for our reunion, with a degree of pride and pleasure, bordering on happiness, it is hard to forgo the pleasure anticipated of meeting and clasping by the hands many of the bearded and bronzed old Troopers I knew some twenty years ago. My health has been bad for some two weeks, though not sick in bed, but under the treatment of a physician, and he advises me against my going to Tullahoma thinking it may possibly do me more harm than good. But while deprived of the pleasure of meeting you in person, my heart is with you and will even still at meeting Forrest and his Cavalry. While writing my memory runs back till I again see the company line. I can picture each familiar face distinctly. Why, I even know the horses for there about the center of the line is "Crellendur" with feet stuck out on either side of "Old Roan" and next to him is Snell on "Rat" and on down I see Keen Pint on the yellow Roan and Mack Watson on the little white pony and Carpenter on big footed Charly and just off to the right of the line is Matthews preparing to mount old "Jack", noble old horse that had to forage for himself, though he bore upon his back as brave a soldier as ever rose in his stirrups at Sound of Bugle and that big hearted Lieu Cowan on "Big Dick" ever ready with a smile for march, charge, or a Bivouac. That fact is, boys, I know you all, know your horses, know the mules that Newsome drove, and if I could hear the rattle of the Sabers and Spurs I would be ready to obey the command "Mount your horses" and move at a moments warning. Wishing you much joy and happiness and hoping the organization will be perfect and substantially officered, to the end that the reunion will recur each year, and that some steps will be taken for the purpose of giving to the World at no distant day an impartial and unbiast history of Forrest Escort in the Field,
I am truly and Fraternally yours,
Lee H. Russ
Something about his recollection allows me to envision the scene as if I were there myself. Anyone else recall a passage or letter that generated the same feeling in your readings?
Buzzard
Bringing the