Forrest Forrest - A Study In Warfighting

[Lazy Bayou]

On a sultry Mississippi summer day in 1864, a Confederate force of under 5,000 troopers met and destroyed a well-equipped Union expeditionary force of over 8,000 men. To grasp fully the essence of this battle, one must first appreciate the engineer of the victory, Nathan Bedford Forrest. This man had the ability to take a complex situation and reduce it to the simplest of terms. "War means fighting, and fighting means killing," was his basic tenet, and he ensured that all of his soldiers understood it.'

The study of the battle of Brice's Crossroads and the man who engineered this tactical masterpiece provides the warfighter with an experience that epitomizes the intent of FM 100-5. Generations of leaders have studied this battle to determine how General Nathan Bedford Forrest achieved the virtual annihilation of a better equipped and supplied Union army that outnumbered his forces almost two to one. A great deal has been written about this battle. And though some conflicting accounts exist over relatively minor issues, the battle is a classic study, and the battlefield is a virtual tactical time capsule.

Read full article here: http://www.blueandgrayeducation.org/index.php?option=com_content&id=46

 

[diane]

Escort

There's a comment at the end of that very interesting piece about Forrest's use of his escort, sometimes called Jackson's Company after their commander Capt. J C Jackson. Their numbers varied from 76 to about 120. As noted, they were hand-picked fighters of the highest morale and were usually armed with the very best - say, Spencers. He often used them as shock troops - which he did at Okolona when he charged Union troops along the road, or at Sacramento. That seems to have been where he got the idea of using his escort as more than an elaborate body guard or reserve force but as an elite company under his personal command. He would place them at crucial points, where the extra effort was most needed. (His staff was also used like this. There were no desk jockeys around him!)

The escort and staff saved Forrest at Selma. He was surrounded by Union soldiers trying to kill him and he was hemmed in by thick hedges along the road and a wagon blocking his path, plus his horse had been shot in the thigh. However, he made the leap over the wagon and was accosted by more Union soldiers. Col. Galloway, Lt. Nathan Boone and Dr. Jones of Forrest's staff were able to help him out by killing a soldier apiece, Forrest killed another, and the escort succeeded in checking the progress of the enemy behind. The interesting thing here is that the Union relied almost exclusively on sabers while Forrest's escort and staff used sabers, pistols and Spencers in combination. (The Confederates were outnumbered 4-1, but at least made good Forrest's escape so he could warn Taylor.)

 

[Lazy Bayou]

I thought the paraphrases below were interesting. Every Forrest fan should take the time to visit this battlefield. It's hardly ever crowded and there's a great visitor center. It's just about 2 hours away from me and any time I have a question about the positions of troops and the movements during the battle I can go there and see the terrain almost as it was during the battle.

"...Set in rural Mississippi, Brice's Crossroads is basically untouched by modern hands, and it remains as it was at the time of the battle. Walking this battlefield with eyewitness accounts and sketch maps helps the student develop a deep appreciation of the effects of terrain on the tactical decisions made by the commander on the scene."

"...And though some conflicting accounts exist over relatively minor issues, the battle is a classic study, and the battlefield is a virtual tactical time capsule."

 

[diane]

This map here clearly shows the double envelopment tactic that Forrest used to win. It was deadly but also very dangerous and tricky. You can see how it could have backfired on Forrest!

http://www.nps.gov/brcr/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=108242

Is the battlefield in any danger? I wondered because many of them are being encroached upon by development - take Chancellorsville! There's little left there, as I understand. I sure hope to get to Brice's Crossroads before my bucket ceases to be a list and I have to kick it.

Always liked Morton's description of Forrest's orders to charge down the road to within a 100 yards or so of the Yankee line - unsupported. Forrest rode off and Morton and his lieutenant exchanged looks. "Did the general sure enough mean we go down there without support?" asked the lieutenant. "You heard him!" snapped Morton, who didn't like the idea any better!

 

[Lazy Bayou]

Is the battlefield in any danger? I wondered because many of them are being encroached upon by development - take Chancellorsville! There's little left there, as I understand

I don't know that the battlefield is in any danger at this time. There's still land belonging to the Agnew family that was part of the battlefield and hopes are that it can either be purchased or posibly donated in the future. The Agnew house, just about 3 miles from the crossroads, was a site of major activity during the battle. As far as development I don't think there's any chance of that any time soon as there's not enough population around that area to warrant stores like Wal-Mart and it's far enough away from a large city where it might be used as a bedroom community.

This is rural Mississippi at it's best.

 

[mobile_96]

I thought the paraphrases below were interesting. Every Forrest fan should take the time to visit this battlefield. It's hardly ever crowded and there's a great visitor center. It's just about 2 hours away from me and any time I have a question about the positions of troops and the movements during the battle I can go there and see the terrain almost as it was during the battle.

"...Set in rural Mississippi, Brice's Crossroads is basically untouched by modern hands, and it remains as it was at the time of the battle. Walking this battlefield with eyewitness accounts and sketch maps helps the student develop a deep appreciation of the effects of terrain on the tactical decisions made by the commander on the scene."

"...And though some conflicting accounts exist over relatively minor issues, the battle is a classic study, and the battlefield is a virtual tactical time capsule."

Wish I'd known you were that close. I was there June 15th. Didn't get to the newly opened areas, as I cut my time there short because of how the sky looked. Didn't want to be driving back to Corinth in one of those bad storms that were popping up at that time, (and to meet up with the rest of our muster group). However, what time I did have there was very rewarding, and hope to make it back there to finish viewing it, Wanted to follow at least some of the retreat trail.
Diane, little development in that area. And the Battleground is 5 miles off the main highway. Even had to stay overnight in Booneville And place I stayed at is Nothing to speak well of, outside of having a bed), because there is presently nothing at Baldwyn.