Nathal Bedford Forest: A Civil War General Extraordinaire gives a Farewell speech

Nathan Bedford Forrest is considered by many historians to be the greatest tactical General to ever fight on U.S. soil, and perhaps the greatest American General ever.

From the state of Tennessee, Forrest fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War and was legendary in his ability to defeat the enemy in virtually every battle, even and especially when grossly outnumbered. Forrest's tactics have been studied by many Generals who followed him, including Nazi Germany's finest, General Rommel, U.S. General George S. Patton, and General Norman Schwarzkopf.

General William Tecumseh Sherman once wrote to Secretary of War Stanton: “Forrest is the very
devil, If we must sacrifice 10,000 lives and bankrupt the Federal
Treasury, it will be worth it. There will never be peace in Tennessee
till Forrest is dead."

In Ken Burn’s Civil War documentary Civil War scholar, Shelby Foote
remarked that the Civil War produced two authentic geniuses: Abraham
Lincoln, and Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Of the 54 engagements Forrest was in, he lost only one. He had
29 horses shot out from beneath him and was wounded at least 8
recorded times, most likely many more.

The Institute for Military Studies concluded that
the Battle of Brice’s Crossroads (won by Forrest), was perhaps
the most spectacular display of tactical genius during the war.

Civil war, such as you have just passed through naturally engenders
feelings of animosity, hatred, and revenge. It is our duty to divest ourselves of all such feelings; and as far as it is in our power to do so, to cultivate friendly feelings towards those with whom we have so
long contended, and heretofore so widely, but honestly, differed.
Neighborhood feuds, personal animosities, and private differences should
be blotted out; and, when you return home, a manly, straightforward
course of conduct will secure the respect of your enemies. Whatever your
responsibilities may be to Government, to society, or to individuals
meet them like men.

The attempt made to establish a separate and independent Confederation
has failed; but the consciousness of having done your duty faithfully,
and to the end, will, in some measure, repay for the hardships you have
undergone. In bidding you farewell, rest assured that you carry with you
my best wishes for your future welfare and happiness. Without, in any
way, referring to the merits of the Cause in which we have been engaged,
your courage and determination, as exhibited on many hard-fought
fields, has elicited the respect and admiration of friend and foe. And I
now cheerfully and gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to the
officers and men of my command whose zeal, fidelity and unflinching
bravery have been the great source of my past success in arms.

I have never, on the field of battle, sent you where I was unwilling to
go myself; nor would I now advise you to a course which I felt myself
unwilling to pursue. You have been good soldiers, you can be good
citizens. Obey the laws, preserve your honor, and the Government to
which you have surrendered can afford to be, and will be, magnanimous.
— N.B. Forrest, Lieut.-General
Headquarters, Forrest’s Cavalry Corps