150 Years Ago: "That Devil Forrest" Attacks Memphis

150 Years Ago: "That Devil Forrest" Attacks Memphis

On August 21, 1864 the daring Confederate cavalryman General Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked Memphis, which had been in Union hands for over two years.  The raid - which had it been just a little more successful might have turned into a full-scale counterattack to regain the Mississippi city for the South - was a major embarrassment to the North - and especially to the two generals in charge of the garrison, both of whom very narrowly escaped capture.  Major Generals Oren Hurlbut and especially his superior, Cadwallader C. Washburn (who fled his quarters barefoot and clad only in a thin nightshirt), were ridiculed and humiliated for the laxity of their defense. While "That Devil Forrest" and his 2,000 horsemen were too few to oust a defending force three times their size, the Rebels nevertheless "raised hell," riding down the main street at 4 AM firing their pistols, shouting taunts and, of course, letting loose a resounding "Rebel Yell" that echoed through the city - and was heard all the way back in Washington.

Forrest took over 500 prisoners and many wagon loads of supplies.  The Union high command drew troops from all over the theater to go hunting Forrest, but to no avail.  Hurlbut, who had only recently been superseded as commander of the garrison at least got the last laugh, quipping to reporters that while he had been reduced to second in command for his failure to keep Forrest out of Tennessee, at least he had done better than Washburn who "cannot keep him out of his own bedroom."

Rebel Raiders on the High Seas game connection:   Although principally a strategic naval game of the Civil War, Rebel Raiders on the High Seas  also has a strong land element.  The Confederacy can mount counterattacks to attempt to regain cities and forts it has lost, and can harass the Union with numerous actions, including play of CSN Card 85, subtitled  "That Devil Forrest."

March 16, 1864 – “That Devil Forrest” Rides for Kentucky – and on to Ft. Pillow

This day 150 years ago in Rebel Raiders’ History

-Dedicated to Civil War episodes, battles, people and ships that also appear in my game, GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas.

March 16, 1864 – “That Devil Forrest” Rides for Kentucky – and on to Ft. Pillow

Historical Event:  On March 16, 1864 General Nathan Bedford Forrest led his famed cavalry command on a month-long raid that would take him through Tennessee and into Kentucky, where he twice attacked Paducah on the Ohio River.  Rebuffed there, Forrest sent most of his division back South while with about 1,500 horsemen continued to lead pursuing Union troops on a wild chase as he headed for Fort Pillow.  There, on April 12, Forrest defeated the defending regiment of U.S. Colored Troops – several dozen of whom were killed allegedly after they surrendered.  The “Fort Pillow Massacre” left a stain upon the honor of General Forrest, whose own reports of the incident are at best ambiguous. 

Game Connection:  Although Rebel Raiders on the High Seas is primarily a strategic naval game of the Civil War, the land war is represented.  General Nathan Bedford Forrest appears in the game as CSN Card 85, and the diversionary nature of his raids are reflected in the penalties applied to one Union land attack when played.  

Sherman’s Fiery Valentine – Burning Meridan, Feb. 14, 1864

Sherman’s Fiery Valentine – Burning Meridan, Feb. 14, 1864

This day 150 years ago in Rebel Raiders’ History

-Dedicated to Civil War episodes, battles, people and ships that also appear in my game, GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas.

February 14, 1864 – Sherman Burns Meriden

Historical Event:  On February 14, 1864 General William Tecumseh Sherman brushed aside the ineffectual and heavily outnumbered Confederate forces of General Leonidas Polk to capture the rail depot at Meridan, Mississippi.  For nearly a week Sherman and his men worked to tear up track, destroy rolling stock, torch warehouses and arsenals and wreck anything of military value.  Sherman was, however, convinced to retire to Vicksburg when a reinforcing column under General William Smith coming out of Memphis was ambushed and sent packing a week later by Rebel cavalry led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Game Connection:  The city of Meridan is depicted on the Rebel Raiders map; while its loss is not as painful to the South as is the capture of major cities and ports by the Union, its loss will cost the South a few victory points. More important, it is the bridge between Vicksburg and Montgomery, and Meridan is thus an important stepping stone for any Northern drive from the Mississippi into the heart of the  Confederacy.  Both Sherman and Forrest are represented in the game, by USN Card 50 and CSN Card 85 – “That Devil Forrest.”