This Letter was originally posted on the Nathan Bedford Forrest Forum on face book.


Dear Sir, This letter is being sent to you as a means to express my concerns about the decisions being made with regard to the Forrest Bust in the Tennessee capital building. My ancestor is Nathan Bedford Forrest. If you could take the time to research the man; you will find a man of 1820-1880 values, loyal to his wife and family, hardworking, fair, a man who was never convicted of a crime, a man who able to change with the times. I would like to give reasons that the bust should stay in the Capital. Nathan Bedford Forrest was born in Tennessee on the then American frontier, with very little formal education, he rose to become a leading citizen, he was served as a sheriff, coroner, elected 3 times as Memphis Alderman, and a 1868 delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He volunteered to serve in the army of the State of Tennessee. During that time this man with no military training developed tactics that are still taught in the War Colleges around the world. It is for that reason that the bust has General Forrest in his uniform. After the war ended, he accepted the outcome and working to rebuild Tennessee as president of the Selma, Marion, and Memphis railroad. Contrary to current lies and myths on many occasions he spoke to bring harmony to the races. “We must encourage the negro to rise to their highest station. I have hired them in such positions as engineers, surveyors on my railroad. If the negro is held down, the state will be forced to support him for generations.” NB Forrest, President Selma, Marion and Memphis Railroad, September 3,1869 At the time of his death October 1877 over three thousand people paid their respects, Rich and Poor, Black and White, Confederate friends and Union foes all could be seen in the crowd. The lies and distortions that have been spread about him are unproven and in fact the authors of such would be found liable if he were still alive. It is not enough the lies and myths about the man have become accepted as fact, to the point that Forrest’s detractors cannot tell you the specifics, just that “everybody knows”. What “everybody knows” has fueled the court of public opinion, in many places in Tennessee. I ask you, as I always do, challenge them with “Tell me what everyone knows and support it with original documentation?” The fact is that these stories have been recycled for close to 120 years does not make them true. I have taken to defend these accusations with the official records of the United States Congress and the United States War Department, investigations. Both of these investigations had living witnesses and the most current evidence at their disposal.1- He made his living as a slave trader 1851-1857- This is true. The same slaves that he sold before the war, agreed to work for him after the war, why? They recognized him as a fair and decent man.2- He ordered the massacre of federal troops at Fort Pillow- Go to Fort Pillow watch the movie, see the conclusions, The federal officers made poor decisions, there was no surrender, he did all he could to stop the killing. The findings of The 1864 War Department’s military investigation of Fort Pillow was chaired by General William Tecumseh Sherman, and published in the Federal Official Records, Series I, Vol. 32, and Part 1. General Sherman’s concluding statement: “Both sides failed to control the action, and only Forrest’s direct, personal intervention to stop the shooting saved many of the Union defenders left standing on the beach.” Sherman’s inquiry ended without substantive evidence to find Forrest culpable! 3- Nathan Bedford Forrest was founder and Grand Wizard of the first edition of the Klu Klux Klan. That edition known as the Ku Klos died out in the 1870’s. The current Klu Klux Klan has no direct linage with the reconstruction Ku Klos, outside of the similar name. The current Klan was founded in Georgia in 1915. Long after General Forrest died in 1877.The United States Congress in 1871, convened, “ The Joint Select Committee on the Condition of Affairs in the Late Insurrectionary States” Known as the “Klu Klos Conspiracy” The committee interviewed 22 living witnesses believed connected with the Klu Klos, General Forrest appeared before the United States Congress in 1871 and testified that he was not a member. He answered all the questions asked of him, not a single witness came forward to disputed his testimony. The congress noted that he called for the disbandment of the order ( KK). The congress could not find any reason and did not charge him with a crime.The following findings in the Final report of this committee of Congress included; The committees found no evidence that Forrest had participated in the formation of the Ku Klos. Not a single one of those 22 men named Forrest as the head of the Ku Klos. The Committee also found that there was no credible evidence that Forrest had ever participated in any actions of the Ku Klos. The Ku Klos committed great outrages to people and property. “General Forrest and other men of influence in the state, by exercise their moral power, induced them to disband in 1868.” ( pp. 463) The report was submitted and accepted by Congress on February 19, 1872 and published by the Government Printing Office. Please do not let those people who would rewrite history, tarnish one of Tennessee’s truly great men, one who is worthy of the Bust that is in the Capital Building. I sincerely Thank you for taking the time to read this and fairly consider it’s contents. I am always open to speak with you about this James H McGlincy Jr 410 808 3849

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