Forrest at Parker's Crossroads

[MKotyk]

On the morning of December 31, 1862, a Confederate brigade under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest clashed with two Union brigades commanded by Gen. Jeremiah Sullivan. Shots began to ring out at 9am and after initially pushing back a Union brigade led by Col. Cyrus Dunham, General Forrest was surprised when a second Union brigade under Col. John Fuller appeared on the field behind him. Finding himself surrounded, Forrest yelled his famous words: "Charge them both ways!" Reversing front, the Confederates repulsed Fuller, then about faced and broke through Dunham's line and escaped across the Tennessee River.

Source: CWPT magazine "Hallowed Ground" Spring 2005 issue.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Not an unusual move for Forrest. Men in his sights or reach either quickly threw up their un-armed hands or said a quick prayer. Sometimes both.

 

[30th_il]

Larry, what you said was especially true if the "man in the sights" was of African descent!

 

[larry_cockerham]

I don't agree with that.

 

[larry_cockerham]

Nat Forrest was a warrior not a racist. Yes, he bought and sold a few black folks, but acted only as a 'businessman'. More than 40 of his personal command were blacks who had previously been involved in his business, though not as senior partners to say the least. They were still riding beside him at the day of surrender. Forrest after the war became one of the first civil rights activists in support of the black community and was publicly recognized as such on several occasions by both the black citizens of Memphis and the press. He was a soldier dedicated to winning the war and trying to kill as many folks a possible who were trying to kill him.

 

[MKotyk]

I agree with Larry.

Before the war, slavery was legal and was participated in freely by Northern businessmen as well. I don't believe that Forrest was a racist either but he was one hell of a fighter.

 

[pvt gauss]

Larry,
Thought that comment might get your attention and your "hackles up".

paul

 

[pvt gauss]

The real problem at "Parker`s Cross Roads" was a mis communication with a unit Forrest had sent out to watch for "Yanks" to the north. A wrong road, a watch instead of impede, came close to disaster even after the original Union force was in the midst of surrendering. Even after being "surprised" Forrest was still able to escape down thru lexington and to cross the Tenn. River at Clifton. Raising the boats he had sunk on his way north. We should not forget the damage he had done on this "Raid' almost to the K.Y. line[Union City]. Some of the damage done to railroads in the raid made them useless for the remainder of the war.

 

[larry_cockerham]

That's probably why Forrest entered the railroad business after the war. He was intimately involved with several of them, having torn them apart piece by piece.

 

[30th_il]

Well, I am sure that Forrest wasn't a "total" racist but I am sure that he didn't regard the slaves as equal. I am sure that he did many wonderful race relations after the war but I am sure that during the war he regarded (at least outwardly) the blacks with contempt. I cannot believe that all his troops were of his PC attitude and I am sure he could not lead the majority of his troops with the attitude that blacks were cool...heck..most thought the Irish were a little better than dirt. Yes, perhaps Forrest did regard the slaves with much respect but I really doubt that he put that on a banner when leading his troops; if it wasn't necessarily NBF who had a person of color in his sights I am fairly certain that one under his command would have had this attitude. My father-in-law had nothing against Japanese before WWII but after he came back from his service in the war...well, he still has trouble seeing Japanese person without a "gut" reaction. I find it hard to believe that NBF could truthfully be without some angst post war. Heck...I find it hard to believe that most southerners didn't still harbour anti-yank feelings post war (they are still there today, 140 later) and so why is NBF immune. I think much has been written to offset his grandson that was more KKK involved...perhaps too much. Me thinks thou doth protest too much...

 

[larry_cockerham]

I ain't protesting. I actually agree with you, believe it or not. A man who with his brothers owned and operated a VERY successful slave trade prior to the war could not have been been mistaken for a true advocate of civil rights. Was the 'massacre' at Ft. Pillow caused by Forrest's dislike of black folks? I doubt it. Did Forrest rush out and throw up his arms telling his soldiers to cease fire at those hapless men? Nope. Did Forrest elevate any of the black soldiers and drivers in his command to Lt. Colonel? Apparently not. Blacks weren't getting a completely fair shake in life in the South during the 1860s, neither, as you point out, were the Irish and Italians in the north. The native Americans didn't care much for any of them. Ain't this a great country!

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

The late Larry Cockerham was probably the most knowledgable Forrest expert on Civil War Talk.

So much so , that Mike & Ami agreed to our request to create a Larry Cockerham sub-forum for his expertise when we were creating the Nathan Bedford Forrest forum.

Should anyone be interested to read more from Mr. Cockerham, I invite one to visit:

Larry Cockerham on Forrest

civilwartalk.com

His thread "The Brothers Forrest" is a gem.