The Forrest Monument
Its History and Dedication
A Memorial in Art, Oratory and Literature
Memphis, TN, May 1905
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t15m6ng1q&view=1up&seq=13
This particular monument will be re-erected in Elm Springs, Tennessee this year after it has been given to the SCV since the City of Memphis found a way around the monument protection law of that State and was able to have it removed. From what I understand, General Forrest and his wife will be re-interred there as well, at the wishes of the family.
From the monument itself we get an indication of its purpose, which is printed early in the book:
ERECTED BY HIS COUNTRYMEN IN HONOR
OF THE MILITARY GENIUS OF
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST
CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY
So it's in honor of Forrest's "military genius", so this is a clear military monument, in honor of a single individual, rather than a more general memorial to the dead. Like the others we've seen so far, an association was formed for the creation of this monument, the Forrest Memorial Association.
At the monument's unveiling, a newspaper story printed in the booklet predicts the following:
New men and new ideas and new interests are thrusting aside the broken fragments of the past. The shadows darken about the survivors of Forrest. A little later and these survivors will become shadows themselves, but the great bronze statue of Gen. Forrest will stand for all time to come a vindication of a nation's hero; a tribute to a great man's greater achievements; a figure of supreme interest; a record of an epoch in the experience of a generation, during a period of awful stress and vicissitude; an illustration that the memory of daring deeds well done can never die.
It won't stand in Memphis now, but it is going back up. Time will tell how long it remains standing this time.
The original dedication took place on May 16, 1905. The order was as follows:
- Hon. J. P.Young, a private in Forrent's command, presiding.
- Invocation by the Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Gailor.
- Address- "History and Description of the Monument," by Gen. S. T. Carnes, President of the Monument Association.
- Unveiling of the monument by little Kathleen Bradley, a great-granddaughter of Gen. Forrest.
- Dedication address by Gen. George W. Gordon.
- Address by Col. C. A. Stanton, an ex-Federal soldier.
- Speech of Senator T. B. Turley
- Benediction, Rev. D. C. Kelley, who commanded a brigade in Forrest's Corps.
In looking through the various speeches recorded in this booklet, we get some indications of what the speakers that day said that the Forrest monument meant. As you might imagine, the men who had ridden with him were reminded of him and of the shared experiences. But it's the president of the monument association who could speak with the most authority about the impetus behind the creation of this monument.
It is most gratifying to the members of the Forrest Monument Association, of which I am the honored President, to announce the completion of this monument, and I hope it will be as satisfying to many of you who have so liberally contributed to it, for the purpose of perpetuating the name and fame of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, that incomparable soldier and military genius.
He had little else to say about the purpose, instead giving an account of how money was raised and the statue constructed. The group obtained the consent of his son to put the remains of Forrest and his wife beneath the monument, so that had already been done long before the unveiling.
General George Gordon gave the dedication address, and he had a bit more to say about the purpose.
We have not assembled here today to glorify war, that deplorable institution of violence, blood and death. Sed canimus arma virumque*
No. We are not here to exalt the direful art and sanguinary science of human carnage, but to salute and accentuate the name, and to commemorate in language, in bronze and in marble, the masterful prowess and martial genius of Tennessee's, if not America's, greatest, most original and dazzling soldier. Yes, we meet to dedicate this enduring monument to the honor and glory of an illustrious patriot and "mighty man of valor"—Lieutenant-General Nathan Bedford Forrest, who for four stirring and thrilling years did brilliant battle for Southern freedom and independence, in what he esteemed and we still regard as an unavoidable and defensive war.
Most of the speech was of course devoted to Forrest himself and his life and attributes and military career throughout the war, and how he led and fought.
Major Stanton of the 3rd Iowa Cavalry was the next speaker, and the crowd responded with "tremendous applause" when this former Union officer was done, according to this account. Stanton had much to say in praise of Forrest as a soldier, and in praise of the post-war work of his men in building up their communities. It was a speech that praised the Confederate soldier as well, and how they had helped rebuild the South and the nation.
Forty years of study and reflection over the causes of the civil war have evolved the common judgment of mankind, and it will be the verdict of history for all time that the soldiers of the South and the soldiers of the North both fought for what they believed was right ; both were inspired by convictions of duty ; they were of kindred blood and they fought with the same Anglo-Saxon valor; there was bravery and sacrifice beyond comparison on both sides, but an overruling Providence had decreed that we should continue to be a united people and He ordered it that the blended blood and heroism of the men. who then strove against each other, *' contending for the right as God gave them to see the right, ' ' should make secure the future of the grandest nation the world has ever seen.
Comrades, you have a right to look with pride upon this monument ; it reminds you of bivouac, camp fire and bugle call ; of marching columns and waving flags; of desperate battles and thrilling scenes which make up an Iliad more stately and splendid than any that genius has immortalized.
This monument is history in bronze ; it illustrates an eventful era in our national history: it commemorates Gen, Forrest's fame and it represents all the gallant soldiers of his command ; it attests the splendid courage which won triumphant victories and did not fail when reverses came -. it stands for heroic deeds which are now the proud heritage of all American citizens.
It is most appropriate that this monument should be placed here in this progressive city, which has had. and has now, its able and conspicuous representatives in every field of labor, commerce, religion, law, literature, politics, science and art : this city, which was Gen. Forrest's home and which has been, and is now, the home of so many other distinguished soldiers, some of whom served with the great leader whose memory we honor today.
It is eminently fitting that this figure should stand here within the borders of the Volunteer State, whose soldiers have marched and fought "from valley's depth to mountain height, and from inland rivers to the sea, ' ' in ever,v war in the history of our republic, with a valor which has helped to make the name and fame of the American soldier immortal. This monument stands as a memorial to Gen. Forrest and his fearless followers, living and dead; it is the tribute of the generous people of this city to a fighting leader and to his fighting men, to a great general whose
military record is the pride of his State and to the splendid soldiers of his command, whose deeds of heroism have not been surpassed in any age or land.
Senator Turley spoke next. And here we do get a "pro Anglo Saxon" comment, so if you want to find a racial remark to attach to this monument, Turley provides one. He does not name the "principles of the cause", so we're left to infer.
It has been the custom among all nations, civilized and uncivilized, to commemorate and perpetuate the memory and the great deeds of their heroes, warriors and statesmen by monuments, statues and mausoleums. It is, therefore, in every way fit and proper that this statue of Gen. Forrest should be erected in Memphis, where he passed his young manhood up to middle life, and amongst the people of Memphis who loved him so well, and from whose midst he went forth to his unexampled career of glory and renown.
But there is, Mr. Mayor, something attached to this statue and other like Confederate monuments which pertains to no other monuments or memorials known to history. The principles of the cause for which Forrest fought are not dead, and they will live as long as there is a drop of Anglo-Saxon blood on the face of the earth.
And then there is the benediction by Rev Kelley:
For as much as God, our Father, has put it into the hearts of our fellow-citizens and comrades to erect this monument in memory of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, we here dedicate it to the promotion of patriotism, chivalry and devotion to country as God gave him to see these duties. We reverently return our thanks to Almighty God for His gift to us of this man, and this inspiration to virtue of the citizens who, in the erection of the monument, prove themselves not unworthy of God's gift to the man. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost keep us in memory of past heroism and future reverent obedience.
The booklet ends with a few words, among which is this statement of meaning:
Yet it was meet that this statue should have been erected, not for the good it does for the departed hero, but for the good it does for us and the good it will do for those who are to come after us.
It carries its lesson of courage and faith and exalted country love.
It speaks in the language of silence and with dumb lips proclaims that acts of heroism and self-sacrifice live forever.
An example fashioned in marble, it will stand for ages as the emblem of a standard of virtue which we should endeavor to exceed if we can and which we must not fall below.
So there is a hint of race-related meaning, but by and large this Forrest monument is exactly what it appears to be: a memorial to General Forrest meant to inspire and remind people of the man. It's more about the man and his personal qualities than the cause, though those qualities were revealed while Forrest was in service to the cause. The vast majority of sentiments have nothing to do with race, and the fact that both soldiers who fought with and against Forrest spoke well of him does say something about the qualities of the man.