Nathan Bedford Forrest
Nathan Bedford Forrest
Nathan Bedford Forrest, called Bedford Forrest in his lifetime, was a lieutenant general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He is remembered as a self-educated, brutal, and innovative cavalry leader during the war and as a leading Southern advocate in the postwar years. He was a pledged delegate from Tennessee to the New York Democratic national convention of 4 July 1868. He served as the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, but later distanced himself...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth13 July 1821
CountryUnited States of America
I am not here to pass civilities or compliments with you, but on other business. I have stood your meanness as long as I intend to. You have played the part of a damned scoundrel, and are a coward, and if you were any part of a man I would slap your jaws and force you to resent it. You may as well not issue any more orders to me, for I will not obey them... and as I say to you that if you ever again try to interfere with me or cross my path it will be at the peril of your life.
I am not an enemy of the Negro. We want him here among us; he is the only laboring class we have.
Men, do as I say and I will always lead you to victory.
I did not come here for the purpose of surrendering my command.
Forward, men, and mix with them.
I've got no respect for any young man who won't join the colors.
What I desire most of you, my son, is never to gamble or swear. These are baneful vices.
No damn man kills me and lives.
I will be in my coffin before I will fight again under your command.
If you surrender you shall be treated as prisoners of war, but if I haveto storm your works you may expect no quarter.
I done told you twice already goddammit no!
Attack in all directions!
If one road led to hell and the other to Mexico, I would be indifferent which to take.
We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment.