Forrest Forrest during Hood's retreat

Though not the most glamorous of military operations, a retreat is one of the most challenging. The enemy is stronger and at the peak of confidence, while one's own troops are discouraged - all the more so after a defeat as serious as Nashville. IIRC Forrest commanded as many as eight infantry brigades in addition to his cavalry, practically a corps on paper although nowhere near a corps in strength.

The famous German field marshal von Moltke (the elder) once replied to an admirer's praise by saying "No, I am not so great, for I have never conducted a retreat."
 
Forrest and the bulk of the cavalry did not join the retreat until Columbia. By that time the Confederate army had retreated at least forty miles from Nashville. To be honest, S. D. Lee's Corps did as much as anybody to save what remained of Hood's army. From there Forrest (with attached infantry) did a very good job, especially around Pulaski and south of there to the Alabama border.

In my opinion, Hatch's Division and Croxton's Brigade have never gotten the credit they rightfully deserve - both early in the campaign and during this stage of it. They gave Forrest, or more accurately Buford and Jackson, everything they could handle.
 
Edward C Walthall was a great asset to anybody who had him. He very much distinguished himself during the Tullahoma campaign and at Chickamauga - he and Forrest went together like ham and eggs. He commanded the 29th Mississippi Infantry, Walthall's Division, and the 15th Mississippi before that. He'd been captured after being wounded at Missionary Ridge but was exchanged.
I didn't know that.
My gr-grandfather was in Walthall's Brigade at Lookout Mountain where many were captured. But I wasn't aware Walthall was captured. it is surprising he was exchanged in 1864.
 
In my opinion S. D. Lee's Corps saved the shattered Army of Tennessee.
Agree.
General S. D. Lee was wounded during Hood's campaign and I always thought it was at Spring Hill. While researching on General Lee for the upcoming Vicksburg tour, I discovered he didn't miss any battles; at least not Nashville.
At the battle of Nashville at 1:00pm, General Lee was wounded by a shell fragment. A piece of the shell knocked off his spur and went through his heel, breaking a few bones. He continued to lead the defensive action despite his wound.
 
I didn't know that.
My gr-grandfather was in Walthall's Brigade at Lookout Mountain where many were captured. But I wasn't aware Walthall was captured. it is surprising he was exchanged in 1864.

Yes, Walthall was captured the day of the battle at Missionary Ridge - Nov 24, 1863 and exchanged Nov 25. Ben Butler was in charge of the implementation of the no-exchange prisoner policy - ever mindful of political winds, he decided to except the sick and wounded. So, Walthall was freed immediately and told not to fight for 60 days. Think he ignored that last bit!
 
Yes, Walthall was captured the day of the battle at Missionary Ridge - Nov 24, 1863 and exchanged Nov 25. Ben Butler was in charge of the implementation of the no-exchange prisoner policy - ever mindful of political winds, he decided to except the sick and wounded. So, Walthall was freed immediately and told not to fight for 60 days. Think he ignored that last bit!

Did he? Or was he released on parole, agreeing not to fight again until exchanged? As I understand it, two men could be on parole, at home or wherever, and be notified that they had been exchanged and could report back to their respective armies. As you noted, Walthall was exchanged, hopefully before going back into action.
 
The rear guard was conducted by Lee's Corps from 4:30 p.m. December 16 through about 5 a.m. December 18. His troops conducted actions along with Confederate cavalry (that ran more than defended - and probably rightfully so as they were so outnumbered) at Hollow Tree Gap, Harpeth River, and Winstead Hill - where Lee was wounded - and West Harpeth River.

Cheatham's Corps took over the rear guard on the morning of the 18th at Thompson's Station. His troops conducted the tactical retrograde and actions on the 18th all the way to Rutherford Creek where his troops crossed over - about 10 miles - until Forrest met up with him that night and a portion of his cavalry there. They worked in conjunction with one another on the 19th in a retrograde to Columbia and crossed Duck River with the security provided by Stewart's Corps.

It was on the 20th when Forrest was given the command of the rear guard with only 1,600 effective troops made up from eight brigades. This wasn't even equivalent to two full strength regiments. His cavalry and Walthall's infantry had weather on their side, and the small band was able to hold some of the best Federal cavalry troops at bay at Columbia, Lynnville, Evan's Cemetery, Richland Creek and Anthony's Hill over five days enabling the army and the majority of its trains to cross into Alabama.
 
Did he? Or was he released on parole, agreeing not to fight again until exchanged? As I understand it, two men could be on parole, at home or wherever, and be notified that they had been exchanged and could report back to their respective armies. As you noted, Walthall was exchanged, hopefully before going back into action.

It did get complicated! Sometimes I think the guys who were accused of breaking their paroles were simply confused. Walthall wasn't one of them, though - he was definitely exchanged for somebody else at the time of his release under Butler's version of the rules. They never did get a set in stone bunch of rules on the prisoner exchange issue - which turned out to be very tough luck for a lot of people.
 
Agree.
General S. D. Lee was wounded during Hood's campaign and I always thought it was at Spring Hill. While researching on General Lee for the upcoming Vicksburg tour, I discovered he didn't miss any battles; at least not Nashville.
At the battle of Nashville at 1:00pm, General Lee was wounded by a shell fragment. A piece of the shell knocked off his spur and went through his heel, breaking a few bones. He continued to lead the defensive action despite his wound.
He was wounded after Nashville on the retreat
 
The rear guard was conducted by Lee's Corps from 4:30 p.m. December 16 through about 5 a.m. December 18. His troops conducted actions along with Confederate cavalry (that ran more than defended - and probably rightfully so as they were so outnumbered) at Hollow Tree Gap, Harpeth River, and Winstead Hill - where Lee was wounded - and West Harpeth River.

Cheatham's Corps took over the rear guard on the morning of the 18th at Thompson's Station. His troops conducted the tactical retrograde and actions on the 18th all the way to Rutherford Creek where his troops crossed over - about 10 miles - until Forrest met up with him that night and a portion of his cavalry there. They worked in conjunction with one another on the 19th in a retrograde to Columbia and crossed Duck River with the security provided by Stewart's Corps.

It was on the 20th when Forrest was given the command of the rear guard with only 1,600 effective troops made up from eight brigades. This wasn't even equivalent to two full strength regiments. His cavalry and Walthall's infantry had weather on their side, and the small band was able to hold some of the best Federal cavalry troops at bay at Columbia, Lynnville, Evan's Cemetery, Richland Creek and Anthony's Hill over five days enabling the army and the majority of its trains to cross into Alabama.
He was wounded after Nashville on the retreat near the Harpeth river North of Franklin used a modified hollow square to keep the Cav away and after wounded about 1pm stayed till all of Hoods troops crossed the pontoon bridge … - Search for General Stephen D. Lee by Herman Hattaway
 
S D Lee's wound didn't keep him from getting married! Crutches and all...

That day did prove to be eventful indeed and not the least was when Forrest and Cheatham butted heads about whose troops were going to cross the river first. Cheatham always considered Forrest something of a peasant and ordered him to get aside, Forrest didn't take well to aristocrats flicking their fingers at him besides which his men had gotten there first. He drew his pistol, Cheatham's escort cocked their rifles and things escalated quickly. Hard to say who could cuss the best! Lee got word two of his generals were about to shoot each other so he came bouncing to the rescue in his ambulance - not the most dashing way to arrive but he got there in time to defuse the situation. Forrest went first.
 
S D Lee's wound didn't keep him from getting married! Crutches and all...

That day did prove to be eventful indeed and not the least was when Forrest and Cheatham butted heads about whose troops were going to cross the river first. Cheatham always considered Forrest something of a peasant and ordered him to get aside, Forrest didn't take well to aristocrats flicking their fingers at him besides which his men had gotten there first. He drew his pistol, Cheatham's escort cocked their rifles and things escalated quickly. Hard to say who could cuss the best! Lee got word two of his generals were about to shoot each other so he came bouncing to the rescue in his ambulance - not the most dashing way to arrive but he got there in time to defuse the situation. Forrest went first.
Have not heard of this … Thank you for the info . I'm 1864 Tn campaign Guy Love @gunny Book !!! brother its been years since our passed crossed but we did place a marker to Ed Johnson Division at the carter house ..
 
Agree.
General S. D. Lee was wounded during Hood's campaign and I always thought it was at Spring Hill. While researching on General Lee for the upcoming Vicksburg tour, I discovered he didn't miss any battles; at least not Nashville.
At the battle of Nashville at 1:00pm, General Lee was wounded by a shell fragment. A piece of the shell knocked off his spur and went through his heel, breaking a few bones. He continued to lead the defensive action despite his wound.

Lee was wounded at 1 p.m. on December 17 at Franklin.
 
After General Steven Lee was defeated after a battle where he assaulted a union division who had chosen their ground and fortified it. It was in Mississippi I forgot the name of the Battle. Harrisburg I think. Anyway.....Forest was reported to have said "Don't feel bad general, if I had me a West Point education the Yankees would be whipping me too." He probably never said that but it shows the difference between Forrest and Stuart. May they rest in peace.
 
He was wounded after Nashville on the retreat

"While researching on General Lee for the upcoming Vicksburg tour, I discovered he didn't miss any battles; at least not Nashville.
At the battle of Nashville at 1:00pm, General Lee was wounded by a shell fragment. A piece of the shell knocked off his spur and went through his heel, breaking a few bones. He continued to lead the defensive action despite his wound. "

I seemed to have posted some double-talk. After I wrote the first sentence, I opened Hattaway's book and found the info about the time he was wounded and corrected myself in the second sentence.
BTW, in Lee's home in Columbus they have a crutch on display. They said it is believed to have been used by General Forrest, who did spend time in Columbus and I think he had surgery there once. But now I wonder if the crutch was actually used by General Lee---or possibly both men used it.
I thought I had a photo of the crutch but I don't.
 
Lee was wounded at 1 p.m. on December 17 at Franklin.

That's right! Thanks, Eric - good to see you. DixieRifles - you aren't the only one... :laugh::help: Let's see if I can get this right today - Lee was wounded at Champion Hill and surrendered with Pemberton's army, then he was exchanged. Then he was shot in the heel at Franklin. But he was also hurt at Nashville, which knocked him out of command briefly - that's why he was in an ambulance. Now, I looked at another good source which says what Eric says - Lee was ok at the retreat and showed up on horseback. :confused: He did get married on crutches, though!

That's funny about these crippled up generals leaving their crutches all around! Seems if cavalrymen weren't getting shot in the hips they were getting shot in the feet. :eek: Forrest's crutch was one he whittled (pretty good craftsmanship, actually) while he was at the Billups plantation recovering from being shot in the foot at Tupelo. He was also recovering from boils, on again/off again fevers and general exhaustion. Forrest didn't have surgery in Columbus but he needed it - that's where Lt Gould shot him in the hip and he elected to leave the ball in. (There's a thread around here where the possibility of Forrest's poor health later was due in part to lead poisoning - he was packing at least three lead bullets around in him!) That was after Day's Gap and it would be a laugh if Forrest - who had a bullet in his rump - borrowed Lee's crutch! (You done with that? Thanks! Better leave it here for the next general...:laugh:)
 
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