Forrest Brave Men Scarce

[Barrycdog]

Roanoke Beacon Aug 31, 1906

 

[reading48]

There is humanity in War Time..

 

[rhettbutler1865]

Barry, this one provokes some thought. I don't know if Forrest was showing humanity or a warped sense of what is right and wrong- (if they were afraid, as most would be)==they "deserve to die. " But since they showed no fear(they may not even have understood English!) -- they deserve to live. Good post, Barry. Who knows what he was thinking, some kind of warrior's "code" in his own opinion? Perhaps he just didn't feel like killing that morning...guess we'll never know. (Listen to me, will ya? Just woke from a bad nightmare and philosophical while half-!!)

 

[Allie]

I doubt this being a true story, as shooting surrendered prisoners was a big enough deal that we generally have in-period outcries and scandals when it happened. Unless someone can find other evidence that Forrest had a policy of shooting captured Union soldiers at this time period, it's probably fiction.

A great story whether it was true or not! and valuable as an example of how Forrest's myth was growing.

 

[diane]

I'm doubtful this is true, as well. Suspect it was taken from an incident involving four or five deserters, who were sentenced to be shot. He had them ride out to the execution spot sitting on their coffins, and they had to dig their graves then sit down on the coffins to wait to be shot. Some of the soldiers were not happy about this as they believed the men had not deserted but had gone AWOL to see about family. At any rate, they had the guns aimed and were just ready to yell, "Fire!" when Forrest appeared and called the whole thing off. He told the men they were brave and he couldn't spare them but to never do such a thing again or he would not stop their execution. There wasn't a next time!