User:Jengod/Forrestbros

Nathan Bedford Forrest was the oldestCK of 11 children (plus five half-siblings); five died young of typhoid fever, including Forrest's fraternal twin sister. Several of Nathan Bedford's surviving brothers were either, like Bedford, engaged in the interstate slave trade and/or, like Bedford, became enlisted men or officers in Confederate Army. According to historian Frederic Bancroft, "By 1860, Forrest had demonstrated what success an...energetic man could achieve in a few years by buying and selling slaves instead of beasts and real estate. Since the decline of Bolton, Dickens & Co. he had become one of the best known and richest slave-traders in all the South. Except possibly the youngest, his five brothers—in sequence John, William, Aaron, Jesse, and Jeffrey—engaged in the same business with him."

"An old resident of Memphis and ex-Confederate has written to the author that until about Jan. 1921, 'the houses 87 and 89 Adams street, formerly used by N. B. Forrest and his brothers Jesse A. (Aaron H. in 1855), and William H. Forrest as a slave mart' were still standing. According to references during the Bolton trial, John (a cripple from a wound received in the Mexican War) and William were associated with N. B. F. in slave-trading as early as 1857."

John Forrest
letter about unsound slave

"service in the Mexican War as a half-paralyzed cripple, shot through the lower spine"

"Jailor and clerk" NY trib article

"John Forrest, the brother next to the general, volunteered in the American army and served in the Mexican War, and there re ceived a gun-shot wound through the lower part of the spinal cord which produced complete paralysis from that point down ward. He could neither walk nor stand without the aid of crutches. He resided in Memphis, and was living at the Worsham House when the Federals occupied that city in 1862. A Union officer with a detachment of men had visited his mother's plantation, situated five or six miles in the country from Memphis, and had deported themselves in such manner as to arouse the indignation of the mother of the Forrests. All of her sons being absent in the army except John, she visited Memphis the next day and in formed him of what had occurred. A day or two later, as John Forrest was sitting in front of the hotel, this officer passed near him, when he stopped him, called his attention to his conduct in the presence of his mother, and told him that if ever he repeated the offence he would break his crutch over his head. The Federal officer resented this remark, and began to abuse not only John Forrest but all the family in severe terms. At this the cripple raised himself from his chair, and, leaning upon one crutch, tried to strike the officer with the other. His antagonist seized the crutch as it was raised in the air, and kicked the remaining one from underneath the paralyzed man, who immediately fell to the sidewalk. Having full use of his arms, he drew a derringer from his pocket and shot the officer, who for weeks lay at the point of death, but finally recovered. John Forrest was imme diately arrested, placed in irons, and confined on board a gun boat anchored at the wharf or landing at Memphis. Here he remained in close confinement, isolated from all friends and ac quaintances, for some time, and, the news of his arrest having come to General Forrest, he at once demanded of the general in command at Memphis the proper treatment or release of his brother, until he could be tried by law for shooting the officer. This demand was complied with at once, and John was set at liberty and afterwards acquitted."

Bill Forrest
LETTER TO ZIBA B OAKES!!!!!!!

" Son William Hezekiah Forrest was born in 1825, hence his claim to three years at the boyhood home as well. As an adult, William ran slave businesses in St. Louis and Vicksburg, buying slaves from brother Aaron before resale. Their company was called Forrest and Maples. William had a home in Memphis and joined the Confederate Army on 13 July 1861, rising to the rank of Captain. He was wounded on 30 April 1863 in a charge against Colonel Abel D. Streight at the battle of Sand Mountain in Days Gap, Alabama. William died in 1871."

"William Forrest, the next son, a captain of scouts, was an ex ceedingly handsome man of large build, big brown eyes, and brown curly hair, which in middle age was streaked with gray. He served with distinction in the Confederate cavalry, and was wound ed on several occasions. He led the charge upon Streight's column at the battle on Sand Mountain, near Day's Gap, the last day of April, 1863, and was desperately wounded, his thigh hav ing been shattered by a Minie ball. He had the reputation of being a headstrong, reckless, and dangerous character, but was neither reckless, high - tempered, nor violent. On the contrary, he was modest and reticent in his demeanor, yet possessed that quality of courage which did not seem to realize what fear meant. He was quick to resent an insult, and, following the rule which had prevailed in the frontier community where he was born and reared, he believed the only way to settle a dispute was to fight it out."

CONFEDERATE OFFICERS CARD enslabed man named Simon - https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/355646389/?terms=%22Bill%20Forrest%22&match=1

letters

letters Charleston - https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/604527358/?terms=%22Wm.%20H.%20Forrest%22&match=1

may 1864 action - https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/memphis-daily-appeal-capt-wm-h-forres/136245308/

april 1865 bushwhacked near GermantownTN

1866 reign of terror in meridian Mississippi

1866 - more - https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/article/public-ledger-bill-forrest-lawless-2/35330546/

Capt smith killed 1869

1872 aberdeen miss allegedly killed 2

1872 Selma railroad chain gang

Shot and killed a barkeeper named Billy Davis. Not killed just shot twice. Tried and acquitted - https://www-newspapers-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/image/227754477/?terms=%22Bill%20Forrest%22&match=1

Well enough to kill his 10th or 12th man

died at his brother's house "congestion stomach"

Upon his death the Tuskaloosa Blade newspaper in Alabama described him as a "noted desperado, having killed at least five or six men in affrays...he was so dangerous that society will be better off because of his death."

Jesse A. Forrest
"Jesse Forrest served with the distinguished courage of the family, and became colonel of a regiment. He displayed exceptional ability and gallantry in the attack on Athens, Alabama, in 1864, where he was very severely wounded."

Lived at corner of Marshall and Union in Memphis 399 Union St.

Newspaper articles

 * - other version "whispers" Also April 18 tribune fr Xenia OH
 * Indianapolis Herald
 * Indianapolis Herald
 * Indianapolis Herald
 * Indianapolis Herald
 * Indianapolis Herald
 * Indianapolis Herald
 * Indianapolis Herald