Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest

One of the most colorful and successful generals in America's Civil War was not a West Point graduate or even had a year of schooling. His name is Nathan Bedford Forrest. This self-made millionaire enlisted in the Confederate Army at age 40 and ended the war as a Lieutenant General. He was liked by his men and hated by his enemies. He was best known for leading his cavalry unit in support of the infantry and guerrilla actions and disliked for his participation in the slave trading industry, the battle of Fort Pillow, and being a member of the Ku Klux Klan. Can a man with military genius and controversial issues (slave trader, Fort Pillow and Ku Klux Klan) be a great captain or do the controversial issues cause him to be just another general in America's history? This paper will examine factors that determine why individuals are labeled great captain. To receive a better understanding of Forrest, a brief life history will be presented, followed by examples of Forrest's links to the determining factors of great captains. Finally, the controversial issues will be discussed and why these should not preclude Forrest from receiving the title of great captain.