n recognition of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, “Civil War-Era Memories” features excerpts from The Memphis Daily Appeal of 150 years ago. The Appeal is publishing from Atlanta. Perspective from our staff is in italics Oct. 14, 1863 Resignation of Gen. N.B. Forrest — It seems to be established that Gen. Forrest has tendered his resignation to the War Department. With us, the country will regret to learn that such is the case, as he has rendered services inferior to those of no other officer in the service, and has very justly been regarded as one of the most efficient. (Forrest’s “resignation” speech ranks high on any scale of military insubordination. Eight days after the Confederate victory at Chickamauga, Forrest received an order from Gen. Bragg telling him to turn over his troops to Gen. Wheeler. This was the second command that Bragg had forced him to relinquish. Forrest also was angry that Bragg had not advanced on Chattanooga. Storming into Bragg’s tent, Forrest expressed his outrage. Here’s an excerpt: “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 orders to me, for I will not obey them, and I will hold you personally responsible for any further indignities you endeavor to inflict upon me. You have threatened to arrest me for not obeying your orders promptly. I dare you to do it, and 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.” Not wishing to lose such an able cavalry leader, Jefferson Davis intervened and had Forrest transferred to northern Mississippi.) Oct. 17, 1863 Fashion and Folly — We publish this evening, as a matter of interest to our lady readers, a lengthy report of the “fashions” in New York, as introduced for the winter, and feel assured our fair friends in Dixie, whose tastes are circumscribed by the blockade, will read the notes of the adornments of the “Flora McFlimseys” of the North with curiosity, yet without envy. |
