John C Rigdon

We Rode with Forrest John C Rigdon

Lieutenant-General Nathan Bedford Forrest in 1865, private of Cavalry in 1861. As Senator Daniel has said, "what genius was in that wonderful man! He felt the field as Blind Tom touches the keys of the piano. 'War means killing," he said, " and the way to kill is to get there first with the most men." He was not taught at West Point, but he gave lessons to West Point. His career was quite as brilliant and devoted in its allegiance to duty in peace as it was in the conflict of arms. Both Grant and Sherman feared this man who entered the Confederate forces a private and left a general. The stories of his achievements are legend. With no formal military training, Nathan Bedford Forrest became one of the leading cavalry figures of the Civil War. While he was without doubt one of the greatest leaders to come out of the war, the battles were fought and won by his men who were totally devoted to his leadership. This book tells Forrest's story in the words of his men.