Forrest Forrest & Books

[Union_Buff]

Well, me, Nate and Diane have joined forces and will be producing a series of American Civil War historical fiction novels that are told through the eyes of NBF's horses. Now, the only one I know of is King Philip, but don't know when Forrest had him. Any help on finding out what other horses NBF had during the ACW, and at what dates, is greatly appreciated. Also, as mark of respect, I decided to dedicate these novels to Larry, who was, IMO, the pinnacle of Nathan Bedford Forrest research.

 

[Mosin]

That might be a little tough.
Didn't he have some 30 horses shot from under him during the war?

 

[Nathanb1]

Well, we don't have to tell about all of 'em. Just Roderick and King Philip. Roderick alone would be too sad.

 

[diane]

Nathanb1,

Been trying to get time to send you a note - didn't get it but here we are! Sounds like fun.

Union_Buff,

Roderick was a prize black race horse that Forrest had before the war. (I've sometimes wondered if he got him from my kin up in Louisville - they were horse breeders and Forrest was well acquainted with them.) He's sometimes called a chestnut but he was very dark. Like most Southerners at the beginning of the war, he brought his best horses and Roderick was one. He saved Forrest's life at Parker's Crossroads when he had to run across a ridge in front of the Union lines to get to his own - wouldn't have made it if he hadn't been on Roderick! Roderick loved the general and would follow him around like a dog, even trying to come into the tent with him. Roderick was shot at Spring Hill.

King Philip was acquired from a family in Mississippi with whom Forrest was recuperating from being shot in the foot at Tupelo. He also had a case of boils to recover from. He spent the time whittling him a crutch and when he got it finished he hopped over to the window across the room, which he hadn't been to. It overlooked a nice pasture and there was a beautiful iron grey horse grazing out there - King Philip. It was love at first sight! (King Philip was called "Iron Grey" by the troops.) Larry had a lot of good information about the family Forrest was staying with and who they were - have to look that thread up! King Philip survived the war and was much prized by both Forrest and his men. The last reunion Forrest was able to attend was sadly without King Philip. Forrest had retired the horse but the men wanted to see him one last time. A stable hand, charged with getting him ready for the reunion, fed him green corn and he died of bloat. He had been wounded four times and was noted for his passionate hatred of anything in blue!

Some of Forrest's horses were captured on the field. When one went down at Sacramento and dislocated Forrest's shoulder, he yelled at somebody to catch him a horse. Couldn't be just any, either - he was a big guy. On another occasion he caught a Union captain who had a very fine horse. He told the captain to get off, then he got on! The captain was pretty upset but didn't get far with his protests. (He'd probably have been more upset if he knew the average life span of Forrest's horses!)

Forrest also had Highlander, who died about the next battle - he was a gift from the people of Rome, GA. He'd saved their town from destruction by stopping Streight's raid.

Don't think any of the rest of them are named! All the generals had a string of several horses but not many went through them like Forrest did.

 

[Nathanb1]

Diane, you're the authority. I'm jest the editing geek.

UB, you might read through those Forrest threads for discussions between Larry and Diane on the horses. There is a gold mine in them.

 

[DanF]

that are told through the eyes of NBF's horses.

Is this because the horses were smarter than NBF?

 

[Union_Buff]

Diane, you're the authority. I'm jest the editing geek.

UB, you might read through those Forrest threads for discussions between Larry and Diane on the horses. There is a gold mine in them.

Will do Nate!

And I agree, Roderick needs some company.

 

[tmh10]

It seems being one of N B Forrest's horses was a short lived occupation.

 

[phil1861]

Interesting premise!

Are you guys considering like a young adult feel?

 

[reddcorp]

This week, a bronze bust of NBF was stoled from a monument in an historic cemetery in Selma, Alabama. Perhaps this was the work of persons seeking to make money from scrap metal. Or, the act could have been performed by persons motivated by local radical agitator Rose Sanders who seems to have taken removal of anything CW related from Selma as her mission.
No matter what one's perception of Forrest may be, the historic fact is that he was one of the Confederacy's most gifted tacticians and for that, deserving of respect. That, coupled with his defense of Selma, despite overwhelming odds, merits a remembrance of his efforts in that city. Those persons who would steal, and perhaps destroy, this bust are represhensible cowards as are those who may have urged the undertaking.

 

[Nathanb1]

This week, a bronze bust of NBF was stoled from a monument in an historic cemetery in Selma, Alabama. Perhaps this was the work of persons seeking to make money from scrap metal. Or, the act could have been performed by persons motivated by local radical agitator Rose Sanders who seems to have taken removal of anything CW related from Selma as her mission.
No matter what one's perception of Forrest may be, the historic fact is that he was one of the Confederacy's most gifted tacticians and for that, deserving of respect. That, coupled with his defense of Selma, despite overwhelming odds, merits a remembrance of his efforts in that city. Those persons who would steal, and perhaps destroy, this bust are represhensible cowards as are those who may have urged the undertaking.

I wouldn't do it no matter how much I wanted the bronze. I wouldn't want him mad at me (no matter WHERE he may be now!)