May I Quote You, General Forrest?: Observations and Utterances of the South's Great Generals

by Randall J. Bedwell (Editor)

May I Quote You, General Forrest? is a collection of quotations from Nathan Bedford Forrest, the Confederate general whose innovative tactics set him apart from other military leaders of his time. His reputation as a cunning tactician and commander has only increased over time.

Genres: History

80 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slight work, but fun! This is a set of sayings from and about Gneeral Nathan Bedford Forrest, the wizard leader. The Introduction provides a brief biography of Forrest.

One of his more famous apothegms (Page 5): "Get there first with the most men." That is a simple way of saying (as per P. G. T Beauregard, "Be careful always to move by interior lines and strike the fragments of the enemy's force with the masses of your own").

A handful of other examples from Forrest: "I did not come here for the purpose of surrendering my command" (Fort Donelson); "'ve got enough to whip you out of ytour boots"; "I cannot speak in too high terms of the conduct of my whole command."David Kelley (staff officer to Forrest): "The truth may as well be told--he was unfit to serve under a superior; he was like a caged lion on the field of battle where he was not himsef commanding."

This slender volume is not, by itself, a particularly good work. What it doesw provide is a brief sense of the man, from his sayings to those of people who knew him. Amusing and entertaining, albeit a trifle.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a little book filled with interesting quotes from Confederate Civil War General Nathan Bedford Forrest, including a few quotes from his contemporaries. Each chapter has a few paragraphs that explain who Forrest and his contemporaries were.