and which tended always to intimidate his adversary. Second, his quick dismounting of his men to fight, showing that he regarded horses mainly as a rapid means of transportation for his troops. Third, his intuitive adoption of the flank attack, so successfully used by Alexander, Hannibal and Tamerlane—so demoralizing to an enemy even in an open field, and so much more so when made, as Forrest often did, under cover of woods which concealed the weakness of the attacking party. Fourth, his fierce and untiring pursuit, which so often changes retreat into rout and makes victory complete. If our Confederate leaders had pursued their victory at Manassas, Shiloh and Chickamauga as Forrest pursued this his first victory; as he pursued Streight in the mountains of Alabama; as he pursued Sooy Smith from West Point; as he pursued Sturgis from Tishemingo creek; as he pursued every advantage obtained over an enemy—the cause that we lost might perhaps have been won. Fifth, following, without knowing it, Napier's precept of the art of war, he was always in front, making personal observations and sending back orders for moving his troops, "while his keen eye watched the whole fight and guided him to the weak spot." As Scott said of Wellington—
| "Greeting the mandate which sent out Their bravest and their best to dare A fate their leader shunned to share. He his country's sword and shield Still in the battle front revealed, And where danger fiercest swept the field, There came like a beam of light." |
This practice brought him into many personal conflicts; and General Dick Taylor has well said: "I doubt if any commander, since the days of lion-hearted Richard, has killed as many enemies with his own hand as Forrest." This exposed him also to constant danger, and he had twenty-seven horses killed and wounded under him in battle and was twice severely wounded himself. This practice led to imitation by his general officers; and at Hurt's crossroads, the day before the battle of Franklin, I witnessed what I will venture to say was never seen on any other battlefield during the war, Forrest with two division and three brigade commanders all on the skirmish line in the fight.
FORT DONELSON AND SHILOH.
At Fort Donelson his regiment bore a conspicuous part in the fight, covered General Pillow's flank in the most important sortie that was made on our side, captured a battery of six guns, and retreated in safety, when the garrison surrendered. At Shiloh, without taking any part in the main battle, he rendered signal and efficient service. Our army had been withdrawn early Sunday evening, and when officers and men were sleeping, fondly dreaming that their victory was complete, Forrest, without any orders
