Please share this story with teachers, students, historians, church members, librarians, civic groups, Civil Rights groups and all who love American history and wish to hear both sides of a story. This should especially be shared with the young people of different races and backgrounds and people throughout the world.<br />
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Nelson W. Winbush, a Black and respected member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, as a child accompanied his grandfather Louis Napoleon Nelson to United Confederate Veteran Reunions. Private Nelson was a Black Confederate who saw service during the War Between the States Battles of Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, Brice's Crossroads and Vicksburg--as a soldier and served as chaplain in the 7th Tennessee Cavalry, under Lt. General Nathan Bedford Forrest.<br />
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It should be also noted that after the War Between the States, Bedford Forrest returned home with the 'free' black men who fought with him. Sixty-five black troopers were with the General when he surrendered his command in May 1865. Forrest said of these black soldiers, "No finer Confederates ever fought."<br />
In 2011, a Memorial was held at Forrest Park in Memphis, Tennessee commemorating the 106th anniversary of the dedication of the Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest statue where Forrest and his wife are buried. The headline of a news story reads:<br />
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Memphis: Forrest: A Confederate figure who still divides,<br />
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And the first paragraph begins the story with, quote "Gray-uniformed soldier re-enactors fired long-barreled muskets in salute and United Daughters of the Confederacy in ankle-length dresses set wreaths before the towering statue of Nathan Bedford Forest in Memphis, paying tribute to a Confederate cavalryman whose exploits still divide Americans today." unquote<br />
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Read more at:http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20110717/ARTICLES/110719774<br />
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Some people believe Forrest to have been a controversial Confederate Cavalry Officer but by definition the word "controversial" can refer to anyone or anything some folks don't understand. Some people disapprove of the sex, violence or excessive language in some Hollywood movies but movies are seldom referred to as controversial. The word controversial however is often used to describe some American and World Leaders and events of the past and present but this apparently doesn't apply to those who are "PC" Politically Correct in their reasoning and actions.<br />
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Why do some people criticize men like General Nathan Bedford Forrest, General Robert E. Lee and President Jefferson Davis who stood honorably for the Southern cause of Independence, 1861-1865? The men and women of the Old South believed they were standing for the same principles as did their Fathers and Grandfathers during the American Revolution of 1776! <br />
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Why is the Confederate Battle flag, the banner of many brave soldiers, also under attack?<br />
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There is much written about the War Between the States but very little about the relentless and unprecedented destruction suffered by the civilians of a free and sovereign nation, the Confederate States of America. There also seems today to be complacency about the history of the destruction of the American-Indian and his way of life. Do you know which Union Commander said "the only good Indian is a dead Indian?"
