Forrest, Nathan Bedford (1821-1877) to the authorities of Rome, Georgia
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04940 Author/Creator: Forrest, Nathan Bedford (1821-1877) Place Written: Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 May 1863 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20.1 x 12.6 cm. Order a Copy
Forrest, commander of a cavalry brigade in the Army of Tennessee, writes from Headquarters (of an unspecified post), "twenty miles west of Garrison." Informs the authorities of Rome "There is a Federal Force of Fifteen Hundred cavalry marching on your place I am pursuing them prepare your selves to Repulse them- they have 2 Mountain Howitzers. I will be close on them I have kild 300 of thir men They are Runing for their lives."
Head Quarters
2 May 1863
20 Miles west of Garrison
800 AM
To the authorities of Rome, Georgia. There is a Federal Force of fifteen hundred cavalry marching on your place. I am pursuing them. Prepare your selves to repulse them. They have 2 Mountain Howitzers. I will be clost on them. I have killed 300 of their men. They are running for their lives.
N.B. Forrest
Brig Gen
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.