Mississippi First Brigade Reunites at Annual Meeting

Last Saturday night, the local Sons of Confederates Samuel Hughey camp met with other camps from North Mississippi in the fourth annual First Brigade meeting. The event was held in Hernando at an old plantation house. The home, originally built in colonial style in the 1840's, was cut in half to convert it into a Victorian-style home prior to the Civil War.

The meeting was held in the yard of the old house, and the weather cooperated nicely. We enjoyed great food, friends, and fellowship before hearing speakers discuss upcoming plans for the Civil War's 150th anniversary, as well as erecting a Mississippi monument at Shiloh National Military Park. Judge McClure entertained us with a talk about the horses of Nathan Bedford Forrest before the meeting concluded.

More on Nathan Bedford Forrest

Last Sunday, local SCV camp and UDC chapter members gathered together at Nathan Bedford Forrest Park in Memphis to celebrate the illustrious general's birthday. This celebration has been marked every year, sometimes with noted speakers such as Shelby Foote, Jeff Shaara, and last year, Bertram Hayes-Davis, Jefferson Davis' great grandson.

This year's speaker was Judge Melvin McClure, who enlightened the crowd with his topic about General Forrest's horses. The general had 29 horses shot out from under him, and is quoted as saying he was one horse ahead (meaning he killed 28 Yankees). The first battle where General Forrest lost his mounts (2) was at Dover, Tennessee in February 1863, and the last horse killed was at Selma, Alabama in April 1865. At the battle of Chattanooga, "Highlander" received a fatal wound to his carotid artery. General Forrest plugged the hole with his finger until after the battle, whereby the horse immediately died.

Judge McClure's most amusing story was that of "King Phillip," a white horse with a dark mane and tail. This spirited animal hated the sight of anything in blue, and reportedly snorted, bolted, and snapped his teeth in the air while charging toward the Federals. One soldier told the general, "Your negroes fight for you and your horses fight for you." After the war, General Forrest was riding in a wagon which was being pulled by King Phillip, who saw police officers in blue. To the general's chagrin, the horse immediately charged after them, embarrassing his master. Sadly, King Phillip died of colic later that year. He is represented as a statue, standing regally with his master atop, in Nathan Bedford Forrest Park, which is represented in the above photos.

Happy Birthday General Forrest

Nathan Bedford Forrest was born on this date in 1821. In his honor, a large gathering of local Sons of Confederate Veterans and United Daughters of the Confederacy took part in a celebration ceremony at Nathan Bedford Forrest Equestrian Park in Memphis, Tennessee. There were many spectators on hand, and members of the Children of the Confederacy bestowed wreaths and Confederate flags at the base of the general's statue.

A large display of flags adorned the grounds, as did many wreaths, and the crowd was entertained by several speakers and members of the 52nd Regimental String Band, who performed a few period songs.

A Benediction and musket salute wrapped up the ceremony. I will write more about the event later this week, as well as Nathan Bedford Forrest's lasting impact, particularly in the Memphis region.

June 9 is Cavalry Day!

Today marks the anniversary of the largest, most famous cavalry battle to ever take place on North American soil, which happened during the War Between the States at Brandy Station, Virginia in 1863. The flamboyant J.E.B. Stuart and his boys were confronted by the enemy in a surprise attack. After clashing, capturing several Union guns, and chasing their adversaries off, the Rebels came out victorious, although they were greatly surprised and outnumbered. This event lead up to the great battle of Gettysburg. In my novel, A Beckoning Hellfire, I discuss the Battle of Brandy Station at length, and explain the events the happened before and after, such as three Grand Reviews that General Stuart staged prior to the attack.

Another cavalry battle took place at Brice's Crossroads, Mississippi, on June 10, 1864, where the infamous General Nathan Bedford Forrest outflanked and outmaneuvered (as usual) his foe. The battle marked another significant achievement in the Western Theatre, as General Forrest outfoxed nearly twice as many opponents. His genius has been a subject of study ever since, and was used by the German's during WWII.

A horse is a horse ... or is it?

Everyone knows that horses and mules played an enormous role during the Civil War, and many thousands gave up their lives throughout the duration. Their average life expectancy was a mere six months. These unsung heroes were an essential part of both armies, not only to the cavalry, but also to artillery units, for it was these mighty beasts that pulled the caissons from battlefield to battlefield. They also bore the weight of many a wagon train, consisting of ambulances, baggage, and food supply wagons. Most of these animals are long forgotten, but a few have been recorded into the annals of history.

Traveller is probably the most famous horse to serve during the War Between the States. Previously named Jeff Davis, he was General Robert E. Lee’s gray dapple mount. The horse outlived his owner, marched in his funeral procession, and afterword, “authored” a ghost-penned book about the war as seen through his eyes.

General Grant’s horse was named Cincinnati, given to him by General Sherman in 1864. The horse was the son of a famous racehorse. Other horses owned by Grant included Methuselah, Ronda, Fox, Jack, Jeff Davis, and Kangaroo.

Lexington, sire of Cincinnati, was General Sherman’s favored mount. The famous racehorse took the General through Georgia, and to the final review in Washington D.C.

“Stonewall” Jackson had a favorite horse named Old Sorrel. Because the horse was so small (the general’s feet nearly touched the ground), the equine was renamed Little Sorrel. Jackson was riding this horse when he was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville.

Baldy was the name given to General Meade’s horse. (Old Baldy was Meade’s nickname.) The horse accompanied the general through many significant battles, outliving the man, and participated in the general’s funeral procession.

Winchester (previously named Reinzi) was the prize of General Sheridan. So cherished was this animal that, upon his death, General Sheridan had the horse immortalized by stuffing him. Winchester is on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

General J.E.B. Stuart’s horse, Virginia, is credited with preventing his capture. The magnificent mare jumped a large ditch, leaving her Yankee pursuers behind.

The infamous Confederate spy, Belle Boyd, rode a mount appropriately named Fleeter.

General Nathan Bedford Forrest held the worst record, having thirty-nine horses shot out from under him. He is quoted as saying that he “ended the war a horse ahead,” meaning he killed thirty-eight Yankees.

These are but a few of the horses that held special places in the hearts of their masters. In an age where vehicles have become disposable, isn’t it interesting that these wonderful equines are still celebrated today?

Nathan Bedford Forrest is 188!

Last Sunday, I had the privilege of attending a ceremony in honor of Nathan Bedford Forrest's 188th birthday anniversary, which was held at Nathan Bedford Forrest Park in Memphis. The park was decked out in flags from each state of the Confederacy. Members of the SCV and UDC were on hand, some dressed in period attire. The crowd was entertained by members of the 52nd Regimental String Band, who played several songs, including "Dixie." Nathan Bedford Forrest's great-great grandson, Kevin Bradley, was present, as was the great-great grandson of Jefferson Davis, Bertram Hayes-Davis.

Mr. Davis spoke about how he has had difficulty bringing recognition to his ancestors' memory. He has approached Congress, the War Department, and several museums, trying to obtain acknowledgment for his great-great grandfather's accomplishments. Most of his efforts took place last year in celebration of Jeff Davis' 200th birthday. It's a shame that racism has tarnished the truth, and that these government institutions fail to honor Jefferson Davis for all that he did for this country.

The ceremony was concluded with a musket salute and benediction, during which time some idiot who was driving by thought it would be funny to scream out an expletive. Lucky for him Tennessee hasn't passed the law allowing firearms to be used in parks! It just goes to show how ignorant some people are to the cause. I'll write more on this subject later, but the gist of it is this: these ceremonies are performed to honor our ancestors, who fought and died for their country, regardless of their beliefs. Regardless of whether we believe in them now. Regardless of what is politically correct. Forgetting that is forgetting important pieces of history, and heaven forbid they should be lost forever.