“[The] narrative of Forrest’s raids is detailed, clearly written, lively, and entertaining.”
—Civil War Book Review
“Recommended as must reading for those who want to know Forrest and his way of war.”
—Edwin C. Bearss, historian emeritus, National Park Service
Nathan Bedford Forrest’s astounding military abilities, passionate temperament, and tactical ingenuity on the battlefield have earned the respect of Civil War scholars and military leaders alike. He was a man who stirred the most extreme emotions among his followers and his enemies, and his name continues to inspire controversy.
In this comprehensive biography, Forrest is illuminated as the brilliant battlefield tactician that he was—and the only Confederate cavalry leader feared by Ulysses S. Grant. Historians Eddy W. Davison and Daniel Foxx offer a detailed explanation of the Fort Pillow “massacre,” unraveling the facts to prove that it was not indeed a massacre. The book also discusses Forrest’s role in the Ku Klux Klan and how he came to be its first grand wizard.
Dispelling several myths, this is a study of the complete Forrest, including his rise as a self-made millionaire in Memphis, his remarkable success leading the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, and his life following the Civil War. Although the book is filled with vivid battle narratives, it goes beyond Forrest’s military life to examine other aspects of this enigmatic leader—his role as husband and father, for example, and his dramatic call for full citizenship for Black Southerners.
About the Authors
Eddy W. Davison teaches criminal justice at the International Institute of the Americas in Phoenix. He is also an adjunct professor of history at Ottawa University and a member of the board of directors of the Scottsdale Civil War Roundtable, and he frequently writes and presents seminars on Civil War topic.
Daniel Foxx is professor of history emeritus at Ottawa University in Phoenix and has held past history teaching appointments at East Carolina University and Glendale Community College. He and his wife now live in Arizona, their four sons and their families nearby.