Forrest General Forrest's Strategy

[Barrycdog]

The Pittsburgh Press - Nov 18, 1914

 

[diane]

That's interesting! However, it's a little off of how that famous saying got said... John Hunt Morgan was conferring with Forrest after the first Murfreesboro raid, a masterpiece. Morgan was very impressed with the success and wanted to know the workings of it. He said the Union had the place well sealed and were bringing up reinforcements - how did Forrest get in at all? Forrest replied, "Oh, I just took the short cut and got there first with the most men!"

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

The Pittsburgh Press - Nov 18, 1914

View attachment 67027

Great find Barry.

 

[Allie]

I think it was Bruce Catton who said that no one who knew anything about Forrest would believe for a minute that he ever said "fustest" or "mostest." As a Southerner who has spoken with many varieties of rednecks, hillbillies, and hicks, from all over this great state of Tennessee, I further question whether anyone alive ever, much less Forrest, ever said "fustest" or "mostest."

 

[diane]

I think it was Bruce Catton who said that no one who knew anything about Forrest would believe for a minute that he ever said "fustest" or "mostest." As a Southerner who has spoken with many varieties of rednecks, hillbillies, and hicks, from all over this great state of Tennessee, I further question whether anyone alive ever, much less Forrest, ever said "fustest" or "mostest."

Forrest was really not the uneducated hillbilly he's often portrayed as. He was, in fact, as sophisticated as Jefferson Davis or any other of the planter class in the old Southwest. One thing, just as an example, was his swordsmanship. That was a skill learned by gentlemen. Some experts consider him a master swordsman, not just a cavalryman who could swing a saber. Many people who met him were surprised at his polished manners and conversation. He may have had a twang or two that was a little discordant in some circles, but he wasn't three licks short of a hog waller!