Learning of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s raid against Johnsonville, Tennessee, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman wrote “….that devil Forrest was down about Johnsonville and was making havoc among the gun-boats and transports.” Forrest’s raid resulted in extensive damage to Federal gunboats, transports, barges, warehouses, open storage, and two wagon trains; the estimated damage of $6.7 million disrupted Union General Thomas’ supply lines against Confederate held Nashville and diverted numerous Union units into the field. After his successful raid, Forrest then withdrew essentially unscathed except for the loss of his “navy” and headed south by way of Corinth, Mississippi to reunite with Hood’s army which was preparing to invade Tennessee. Forrest, one of the most successful advocates of mobile horse cavalry, would continue his raiding until the end of the war.
00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.