Forrest The Man Who Saved Nathan Bedford Forrest

Belle Montgomery

2nd Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 25, 2017
Location
44022
A few years ago but very interesting:

The descendant of one of the general's cavalrymen offers an arresting true-life tale -- and a surprising take on the controversy.
Posted By Aaron James on Sun, Jun 28, 2015 at 11:39 PM

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Private William H. Terry
At a time when the image of Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest is shrouded in both mystery and controversy, and a debate rages as to whether the hero of yore should be considered a villain to be scorned, this remarkable account by a descendant of one of Forrest's calvarymen sheds light on both the man and his likely place in history.

William H. Terry was a young man of privilege from middle Tennessee when he signed up to join the Confederate Cavalry on October 30th 1861. He soon found himself part of an elite military unit of 40 well-mounted, well-heeled, and well-armed men, handpicked from some of the finest families of the region. After the raw recruits were initially drilled and trained at Carnton Plantation south of Franklin, they were assigned the designation of Company F, relocated to Camp Cheatham in Robertson County, and on December 11th, joined the 8th Battalion Tennessee Cavalry with Lieutenant Colonel James W. Starnes at their head.

The battalion was immediately attached to Major General William J. Hardee's Central Army of Kentucky headquartered at Bowling Green. Two weeks after establishing their base camp near Russellville Kentucky, orders came to confirm reports of Union troop movements in the vicinity of Rumsey and Calhoun on the Green River.
REST OF ARTICLE:https://www.memphisflyer.com/Jackso...6/28/the-man-who-saved-nathan-bedford-forrest
 
Pvt William Terry was the only KIA for the Confederates at Sacramento. He was part of a hand picked group who would later become Forrest's famed escort. These men were like Terry - when the private saw Forrest was about to be stabbed from behind by Davis, he had literally no other way to save the colonel than to step into the thrust himself - which he did! Davis and Forrest were engaged in one of the most extraordinary personal combats of the war - just moments before they had collided at top speed and both had dislocated their shoulders falling from the horses. Davis was sitting on the ground when Forrest literally flew past him! The reason for the collision? Forrest was saving Terry from being shot by Davis' party.
 
This is Capt Arthur N Davis:

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Davis was a friend of Forrest's before the war, and when he and Forrest met Forrest fired his pistol right at Davis' head - but it only clicked. So Davis was in the mood to fight! He and Forrest collided on horseback - both horses were killed - and both riders dislocated their shoulders. Davis was taken prisoner and Forrest paroled him to his wife - he took him home to her care. Unfortunately, Davis' shoulder was never properly treated and in 1863 he was discharged with disability. Strangely, only three years after the war ended, he was riding in a buggy and lightning struck a branch he was passing under - the limb fell down and killed him instantly!
 
This is Capt Arthur N Davis:

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Davis was a friend of Forrest's before the war, and when he and Forrest met Forrest fired his pistol right at Davis' head - but it only clicked. So Davis was in the mood to fight! He and Forrest collided on horseback - both horses were killed - and both riders dislocated their shoulders. Davis was taken prisoner and Forrest paroled him to his wife - he took him home to her care. Unfortunately, Davis' shoulder was never properly treated and in 1863 he was discharged with disability. Strangely, only three years after the war ended, he was riding in a buggy and lightning struck a branch he was passing under - the limb fell down and killed him instantly!
:O
 
Thanks. 99% of all NBF stories start, "Forrest joined the CS Army" or "After The War He Became The Grand Dragon" Very seldom do you see one that starts.

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