“Remember that this coming Thursday, 23 Feb at 6:30 PM, our Little Round Table will draw on the considerable knowledge and experience of John Scales, who will help us all learn and understand more about the operations of Nathen B. Forrest’s Cavalry ‘Corps’ as it supported the Confederate advance into Middle Tennessee in the winter of 1864.

More generally known as “Hood’s Nashville Campaign,” the Confederate Army of Tennessee began with high but desperate hopes of seizing Nashville, defeating the Federals and moving into Kentucky and even Virginia. Those hopes proved to be unachievable, and  the campaign is now known for the slaughter of the storming Confederates at Franklin and the decisive defeat of Hood’s Army outside of Nashville.

As you check the enclosed sources and ponder John’s study questions…look for displays of Forrest’s leadership and tactical skill throughout the campaign, and consider his overall contribution to whatever success the Confederates had prior to their great defeat. Ask yourselves whether good use was made of his skill and his men’s courage by General Hood.

Should be a good night…and I retract all earlier statements that I made about an Elks Chicken buffet on Thursday night. There is no buffet, although you can order dinner of their usual menu. Consider joining the Elks Burger devotees as early at 5 or 5:30 for good fellowship before we saddle up and draw sabers….I mean, revolvers; we are focusing on Forrest’s cav.”