Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Final Victory

“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand…”

Matthew 7:26

One of the greatest cavalry generals of the War Between the States was Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, (1821-1877). Generals Robert E. Lee and William T. Sherman called him the greatest cavalry general of the War. His tactics were studied by both WWI and WWII generals.  Yet few people are aware of Forrest’s life after the War ended.

 In 1875 Nathan Bedford Forrest accepted an invitation to speak before the Independent Order of Pole-Bearers Association in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights group, composed mainly of local members of the free black community, issued the invitation as an act of reconciliation toward Forrest. 

While difficult to believe, his words that day spoke of service to “one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment.” He reassured his audience:  “When you are oppressed I’ll come to your relief.”

To many, Nathan Bedford Forrest is beyond social redemption and forgiveness, yet in later years became contrite, repentant and, most importantly, a sincere, vocal advocate of social justice for freed slaves.

After his father died in 1837, 16-year-old Nathan became the head of the Forrest household and helped his mother raise his seven siblings. Responsibility, discipline, and the harsh realities of frontier life drove him to work in the fields all day.

He spent his evenings “making buckskin leggings and shoes and coon-skin caps for his younger brothers.  Providing for his family left little time for spiritual reflection. While having a respect for God, Forrest made little time in his life for spiritual growth.”

In 1843, Nathan’s mother remarried and left Nathan to pursue his own goals. While working for his uncle’s horse-trading business, Forrest utilized his organizational skills learned on the farm. During this time his legendary temper began surfacing, thereby giving his life a volatile edge that even marriage to Mary Ann, a committed Christian, could not curb.

Forrest spent time as a slave trader and, although the author does not absolve Forrest of blame for this conduct, he does state that Forrest was a man of his times, which included slavery. 

Even though Forrest was unschooled in military matters, the Civil War brought to the forefront his extraordinary skills in strategy and combat. William Tecumseh Sherman gave Forrest the sobriquet “that devil Forrest,” a name that later meant more than just someone who refused to surrender or lose a battle.

 Prior to Forrest's salvation his wife prayed continually for God's mercy and grace to fall upon him. On the evening of November 14, 1875, Forrest surprisingly attended the Sunday night service with his wife, Mary Ann.  The pastor, George T. Stainback, preached that night on the house built on sand. At the end of the service, Forrest stopped at the church door and waited for the pastor to come out and bid a customary farewell to the congregation.

Stainback later recalled, "He took my arm, and we passed the pavement below." At the sidewalk, Forrest suddenly leaned against the wall and his eyes filled with tears."Sir, your sermon has removed the last prop from under me," he said, "I am the fool that built on the sand, I am a poor miserable sinner."

He looked "all shaken", recalled Stainback, who recommended that he study Psalm 51 to find spiritual relief. The next evening the minister visited him for a talk and prayer and after the latter, Forrest rose from his knees and "felt satisfied."  "All is right, I put my trust in the Redeemer." The next Sunday, Forrest joined his wife's church and was a dedicated Christian for the rest of his life.