Origins & Early Life

Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 – October 29, 1877) was a Confederate general, noted for his aggressive cavalry tactics and rapid rise from private to general during the American Civil War. After the war, Forrest was inaugurated as the first Grand Wizard of the Reconstruction-era Ku Klux Klan. Born into a poor family, as a young man Forrest would amass substantial wealth as a horse and cattle trader, real estate broker, and cotton plantation owner, and was also directly involved in the interstate slave trade, including operating a slave jail in Memphis. In June 1861, shortly after the Civil War began with the splitting of the United States into the Union and the Confederacy, Forrest enlisted in the Confederate Army.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Forrest became one of the few soldiers during the war to enlist as a private and be promoted to general without previous military training. An expert cavalry leader, Forrest was given command of a cavalry corps and established new doctrines for mobile forces, earning him the nickname "The Wizard of the Saddle". He used his cavalry troops as mounted infantry and often deployed artillery as the lead in battle, thus helping to "revolutionize cavalry tactics". In April...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Arthur Cayley — Contemporary (Born in 1821) (1821): Pioneering English mathematician, instrumental in founding modern algebra and group theory.
• Charles Baudelaire — Contemporary (Born in 1821) (1821): Master of modern poetry, Baudelaire captured the ephemeral beauty of industrial Paris.
• Elizabeth Ann Seton — Contemporary (Died in 1821) (1821): Pioneering American Catholic educator and founder of the parochial school system.
• Adolphe Thiers — Contemporary (Died in 1877) (1877): Influential French statesman, historian, and President of the Third Republic.
• Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt — Contemporary (Born in 1877) (1877): American sportsman and businessman, known for his involvement in pioneering endeavors.
• Brigham Young — Contemporary (Died in 1877) (1877): Second President of the LDS Church and Governor of Utah Territory.
• Aisha — Shared historical date (07-13 · Died) (678): Prominent scholar and political figure in early Islam, wife of Prophet Muhammad.
• Arnold Schoenberg — Shared historical date (07-13 · Died) (1951): Modernist composer who pioneered atonality and the twelve-tone technique.
• A. J. Ayer — Shared historical date (10-29 · Born) (1910): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Dominick Dunne — Shared historical date (10-29 · Born) (1925): American writer and journalist known for high society crime fiction.
• 1821 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1821
• July 13 (07-13) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 13
• 1877 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1877
• October 29 (10-29) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on October 29