Civil War fact of the day. On this day in 1864, Nathan B. Forrest requested a furlough for twenty or thirty days to rest and recruit. HEADQUARTERS FORRESTS CAVALRY, Cherokee, October 8, 1864. Lieutenant General R. TAYLOR, Commanding, &c.: GENERAL: I have been constantly in the field since 1861, and have spent halt the entire time in the saddle. I have never asked for a furlough for over ten days in which to rest and recruit, and expect when wounded and unable to leave my bed have had no respite from duty. My strength is failing and it is absolutely necessary that I should have some rest. I left a large estate in MISSISSIPPI and have never given my private affairs a days attention at any one time since the war began. Will make the trip to WEST Tennessee, and hope as soon thereafter as you can do so you will relieve me from duty for twenty or thirty days to rest and recruit. I have received letters from Colonel McCulloch at Mobile. He and his command are much dissatisfied, and I respectfully ask that my two DIVISIONS be placed as they originally were under the command of Brigadier-Generals Chalmers and Buford, and that Mabrys brigade be substituted for McCullochs, which change would in my opinion be satisfactory to all parties. I have captured since I came into this department over 30 pieces of artillery, fitting up my command with four batteries (in all sixteen guns). They are now scattered, and I desire if possible to get all my command together, and with General Chalmers as senior officer feel that it would be safe to leave the command for a short time, which in my present state of health is absolutely necessary and which you will confer a favor on me by granting as early as consistent with the good of the service. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, N. B. FORREST, Major-General.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:24:55 +0000
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