Nathan Bedford Forrest

Date of Birth: July 13, 1821

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: October 29, 1877

Biography

Nathan Bedford Forrest was born on July 13, 1821, in Chapel Hill, Tennessee. He was a Confederate Army general during the American Civil War and is known for his controversial and complex legacy. Forrest began his career as a planter and slave trader, which contributed to his wealth before the war. Despite having no formal military education, Forrest’s tactical prowess earned him a reputation as one of the war’s most formidable cavalry commanders. During the Civil War, Forrest displayed remarkable leadership and strategic acumen, participating in numerous battles including the Battle of Fort Donelson, the Battle of Shiloh, and the Battle of Chickamauga. His command was characterized by his aggressive tactics and ability to execute swift, decisive raids. After the war, Forrest’s legacy became even more contentious. He was an early member of the Ku Klux Klan and is often erroneously credited as one of its founding members, though he later distanced himself from the organization and called for its disbandment. He spent his later years attempting to rebuild his business ventures but faced financial difficulties. Nathan Bedford Forrest passed away on October 29, 1877, in Memphis, Tennessee.

5 Interesting Facts about Nathan Bedford Forrest

1. Nathan Bedford Forrest was known as the “Wizard of the Saddle” due to his cavalry tactics.

2. He made his fortune as a planter and slave trader before the Civil War.

3. Forrest was wounded multiple times during the war but continued to lead his men with distinction.

4. After the Civil War, he became the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan but later distanced himself from the organization.

5. Forrest’s tactics and strategies are still studied in military academies today.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Nathan Bedford Forrest

1. “Get there first with the most men.”

2. “War means fighting, and fighting means killing.”

3. “I went into the army worth a million and a half dollars, and came out a beggar.”

4. “If you surrender you shall be treated as prisoners of war; but if you attempt to run away you will be shot down.”

5. “I have never, on the field of battle, sent you where I was unwilling to go myself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Nathan Bedford Forrest’s net worth was estimated to be over $1.5 million, largely derived from his ventures as a planter and slave trader.