The One Greatest Cavalry Ride...

The Greatest Ride of the Civil War...

  • CS J.E.B. Stuart: Ride around the AOP, 1862

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • US Ben Grierson: Ride through Mississippi, 1863

    Votes: 4 80.0%
  • CS Jo Shelby: Ride through Missiouri. 1863

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • CS Nathan Forrest: Ride through Tennessee, 1863

    Votes: 1 20.0%
  • CS John Mosby: Greenback Raid, 1863

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • CS John Morgan: Ride to Ohio, 1863

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • US James Wilson: Ride through Alabama, 1865

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • US Phil Sheridan: Richmond Raid, 1864

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • US A.D. Straight: Mule ride to Georgia. !863

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Another: I know I missed some....

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    5
  • Poll closed .

5fish

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2019
Messages
10,619
Reaction score
4,544
We can talk about who was the best or greatest cavalry man but in this thread which cavalry man had the one greatest and glorious ride or raid into their opponent backyard during the Civil War.

Was it:...

CS. Jeb Stuart: Ride around the AoP, 1862

US. Ben Grierson: Ride through Mississippi, 1863

CS. Jo Shelby: Ride through Missouri, 1863

CS. Nathan Forrest: Ride through Tennessee, 1863

CS. Joe Mosby: Greenback Raid, 1863

CS. John Morgan: Ride to the Ohio, 1863

US. James Wilson: Ride through Alabama, 1865

US. Phil Sheridan: Richmond Raid, 1864

US. A.D. Straight: Mule ride to Georgia. 1863

Another Ride: I know someone will find another Ride I should have listed....

Remember, I am looking for the one greatest, glorious ride or raid of the Civil War. I have given you a list but you are free to pick whatever ride you feel was "THE ONE GREATEST RIDE OF THE CIVIL WAR" by a cavalry man.

Some thoughts.....
 

diane

that gal
Joined
Mar 18, 2020
Messages
2,412
Reaction score
3,045
You got all the good ones, 5fish! Some are connected - Grierson's raid was designed to give Forrest something to do while Grant took on Vicksburg, which was chase Streight across the top of the South; Morgan's ride to Ohio was part of a three pronged operation to prevent Grant's movements on Vicksburg - Van Dorn at Holly Springs, Morgan went to Ohio and Forrest hit the road on his West Tennessee Raid.

All three rebel cavalrymen achieved their objectives - Van Dorn disposed of the main Union supply depot; Forrest eliminated railways, communication lines, garrisons, smaller supply depots, captured a large number of the enemy and definitely put the 'skeer' on them; Morgan blitzed through Kentucky and southern Ohio with good success (except for that boo-boo in Cynthiana) and put the fear of invasion into the border states. Each earned their war monikers on this operation: Damn Born, Thunderbolt of the Confederacy and Wizard of the Saddle!

For planning, execution, daring and audacity, I go with Forrest's West Tennessee Raid. West Tennessee was held firmly by the Union, who invaded by water the previous spring after Beauregard's withdrawal from Shiloh. With the fall of Fts Henry and Donelson before Shiloh, and taking Island No 10, the Union was securely in control of the major riverways of the Confederacy - except for the knot at Vicksburg. Forrest had a hand-picked command of veterans he could rely upon, and who were used to his unconventional methods. Worked like a charm. Highly mobile, well-armed, well-trained, efficient, ruthless and focused, Forrest did the best job of the three. Four men were in the Murfreesboro jail waiting to be executed. One related they heard a low rumble of thunder but the sky was clear - it was Forrest pounding down the turnpike with 1500 men. The Union defenders had no idea rebels were in the vicinity or anywhere near west Tennessee - but Forrest's scouts were among the best in the war and knew all the backdoors. Afterward, when the cavalrymen gathered for a meeting, Morgan marveled at how Forrest managed to get inside strongly held Union territory and rip it up like he did. "Oh," said Forrest, "I just took the short cut and got there first with the most men!" First with the most marked the entire raid. Col Forrest became Major General Forrest - and the most feared cavalryman on either side.
 

Sgt. Tyree

Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2020
Messages
29
Reaction score
40
.......the one greatest and glorious.......
Glorious? All cavalry raids seem to invoke an image of dash and derring do, so each is free to interpret glorious in his own mind.

Greatest is different, I think. I'll say Grierson's Raid because it was coordinated with a larger operation of strategic importance. I think it also showed that the Union horse soldier was a force to be reckoned with.
 

diane

that gal
Joined
Mar 18, 2020
Messages
2,412
Reaction score
3,045
Grierson had an amazingly intrepid and efficient group of scouts with him, too, who contributed greatly to his success. The Butternut Guerrillas. They were Grierson's special ops guys! They were mostly from southern Illinois and Indiana, and had Southern accents so they could blend in very easily. They ran a big risk by wearing civilian clothes or CSA uniforms - caught out in that attire they'd be shot as spies, not treated as POWs. In fact, one of them was badly wounded while in disguise - his pals couldn't take him with them because his wound was too bad but they got him into his blue uniform!
 

Sgt. Tyree

Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2020
Messages
29
Reaction score
40
Great movie! It has inaccuracies and was only loosely based on the real thing. But it certainly captures the spirit of it.

The theme song is something of a conundrum for me. It was written for the movie. It sounds like it ought to be a period song but it's not. And I'm not sure what the song's author was trying to portray but it sounds like it might be the story of a southern Unionist. He leaves his love behind. But he does it while she is sleeping and leaves her a secret letter? And he has to specify that he will be in the U.S. Cavalry? Sounds like a southern boy leaving by night to join the Union Army, doesn't it?
 

diane

that gal
Joined
Mar 18, 2020
Messages
2,412
Reaction score
3,045
This is Robert V Richardson:
1588798698077.png
and Wirt Adams:

1588798750993.png

They were the two Confederate cavalrymen who pursued Grierson. Grierson, a music teacher and completely terrified of horses, proved to be a very clever opponent. The Quinine Brigade, for instance. Grierson picked out around 100-150 men who were invalids and had them escort prisoners back to Ponotoc - this caused Adams and Richardson to think there might be a retreat and to split forces. Perfect! Grierson, along with A J Smith, was one of the very few Union cavalrymen who could and did give Forrest a very hard time. It would have been interesting indeed if he had decided to pursue Grierson rather than Streight!
 

Sgt. Tyree

Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2020
Messages
29
Reaction score
40
Grierson, along with A J Smith, was one of the very few Union cavalrymen who could and did give Forrest a very hard time.
The other being James Wilson. I know Wilson outnumbered Forrest quite a bit during his raid in the final days of the war. So, admittedly, that thrashing was practically foreordained. But I believe Wilson repulsed some of Forrest's troopers at Franklin too?

Forrest was nobody to be trifled with and was taken very seriously. But all men have weaknesses and so there were some Union cavalry officers who had the nerve and confidence to engage him - Sturgis not being one of them!
 

diane

that gal
Joined
Mar 18, 2020
Messages
2,412
Reaction score
3,045
James Wilson and Forrest became good friends after the war. In fact, just before the battle of Selma, Wilson had dinner with Forrest. (He'd lost one of his officers, too, and Forrest told him where he was...) At Selma, Wilson put a Major White in command of the troops who stormed Confederate works - White was a total berserker like Forrest, a big man full of fight and with a well disciplined unit. Forrest couldn't really do much about the Union assault and finally he decided the works around Selma was not going to be the cemetery for his men! They were more than ready to hit the road. One thing Wilson acknowledged himself was Forrest had had uncommon bad luck there. Chalmers was late for the party and Red Jackson didn't even make it. Jackson's troops might well have made a big difference - Forrest was really counting on them but Jackson didn't make it to the bridge before it was burned. Forrest and the remnants of his men went on a headlong, no doubt about it rout down the turnpike out of Selma, the first time that had ever happened. On the way, Forrest was personally attacked by over a dozen Union soldiers and separated from his escort - he escaped the soldiers by leaping over a wagon and heading down the road. A young captain barred his path and began hacking at him with his saber. Forrest was handicapped by his pistol sticking in his belt but he finally got his saber up and ran the captain through. Captain Taylor was the 30th man Forrest killed in personal combat. Forrest was badly wounded, blood everywhere, and his first visit was to Richard Taylor to tell that general to git! Taylor observed 'horse and rider covered in blood' and did not need to be told twice - he hopped a train out of there.

Forrest and Wilson did a real cobra and the mongoose dance through that raid and run-up to the battle. Wilson sent one of his aides to scope out Forrest and get information. Captain Hosea thought he'd gotten a good deal of useful things, played the rebel general well...but Wilson's analysis of the data found Hosea was the one who had been played like a fiddle! So...how about dinner some time? Sure! Wilson was quite good at this type of thing and found Forrest was better. He didn't get tricked as well as he'd gotten tricked at Nashville, however, by Forrest's subordinate Rucker. That was a piece of art!
 

diane

that gal
Joined
Mar 18, 2020
Messages
2,412
Reaction score
3,045
But I believe Wilson repulsed some of Forrest's troopers at Franklin too?
Wilson at Nashville was after whatever was left of Hood's shattered army - and Forrest put up a great rear guard action. He saved Hood's survivors. At one point, one of my favorite weird personal combats occurred. It was getting dark, the fight was pretty thick, and Col Rucker found himself in hand to hand combat with a Union officer. They were both big, tough men and got so intense they actually exchanged sabers in mid-fight! "Who are you, anyway?" yelled Rucker. "I am Col George Spaulding of the 12th Tennessee USA," replied his opponent. "Well, I am Col Ed Rucker of the 12th Tennessee CSA!" Eventually some shot hit Rucker's arm and the fight was over. He was taken prisoner and spent the night in Wilson's tent. He heard Wilson planning to pursue the remnants of Hood's army and piped up with, "General Forrest is on the field and will give you hell tomorrow!" Wilson's ears pricked up like a prime hound's - he stopped his planned maneuver until it could be ascertained whether or not Forrest himself was personally present. The trick bought Hood four more hours. That was how seriously Forrest was taken!
 

Sgt. Tyree

Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2020
Messages
29
Reaction score
40
Thanks diane. I did not know some of this. But we have digressed.

Wilson's raid was a grand undertaking. Stoneman had a raid going at the same time and it was impressive as well. Both cause a lot of destruction and helped finish the Confederacy. I've heard it opined that both raids were unnecessary at that late stage of the war but obviously Grant thought it important to keep the pressure on.

Still, I think Grierson's raid may have been the "most effective" (as opposed to greatest and glorious) raid of the war because of Vicksburg. It also came in 1863, which is widely acknowledged as the year the Union cavalry came of age. Both those points strike me as important.

 

diane

that gal
Joined
Mar 18, 2020
Messages
2,412
Reaction score
3,045
Yes, I agree we've digressed! (I am notorious for it...) One of the major objectives with both Grierson's Raid and Wilson's was Forrest. Forrest had become a legend, probably the legend of the Confederacy and hope of the people. They could always count on him if they needed help - maybe no one else but certainly Forrest. If Union cavalry could ride through Forrest's department (especially that part called Forrest Country) and send him on a headlong route - the demoralizing effect was worth all the battles of the previous years. By the end of the war, with Stuart dead and Lee's army penned at Petersburg, Forrest was the only inspiration the people had.
 

O' Be Joyful

ohio hillbilly
Joined
May 12, 2019
Messages
3,491
Reaction score
3,136
Yes, I agree we've digressed! (I am notorious for it...) One of the major objectives with both Grierson's Raid and Wilson's was Forrest.

Which of the 2 raids had slow-ass mules involved and a widdle (that) gäl in the saddle, I can not rightly recall at the moment. IIRC it was Wilson's.
 

5fish

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2019
Messages
10,619
Reaction score
4,544
Which of the 2 raids had slow-ass mules involved and a widdle (that) gäl in the saddle, I can not rightly recall at the moment. IIRC it was Wilson's.
This is only I could find were mules were used as mounts...

US A.D. Streight: Mule ride to Georgia. 1863( The raiders soon became known as the “Jackass Cavalry.” )
 

Canteen

Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2019
Messages
43
Reaction score
58
You got all the good ones, 5fish! Some are connected - Grierson's raid was designed to give Forrest something to do while Grant took on Vicksburg, which was chase Streight across the top of the South; Morgan's ride to Ohio was part of a three pronged operation to prevent Grant's movements on Vicksburg - Van Dorn at Holly Springs, Morgan went to Ohio and Forrest hit the road on his West Tennessee Raid.

All three rebel cavalrymen achieved their objectives - Van Dorn disposed of the main Union supply depot; Forrest eliminated railways, communication lines, garrisons, smaller supply depots, captured a large number of the enemy and definitely put the 'skeer' on them; Morgan blitzed through Kentucky and southern Ohio with good success (except for that boo-boo in Cynthiana) and put the fear of invasion into the border states. Each earned their war monikers on this operation: Damn Born, Thunderbolt of the Confederacy and Wizard of the Saddle!

For planning, execution, daring and audacity, I go with Forrest's West Tennessee Raid. West Tennessee was held firmly by the Union, who invaded by water the previous spring after Beauregard's withdrawal from Shiloh. With the fall of Fts Henry and Donelson before Shiloh, and taking Island No 10, the Union was securely in control of the major riverways of the Confederacy - except for the knot at Vicksburg. Forrest had a hand-picked command of veterans he could rely upon, and who were used to his unconventional methods. Worked like a charm. Highly mobile, well-armed, well-trained, efficient, ruthless and focused, Forrest did the best job of the three. Four men were in the Murfreesboro jail waiting to be executed. One related they heard a low rumble of thunder but the sky was clear - it was Forrest pounding down the turnpike with 1500 men. The Union defenders had no idea rebels were in the vicinity or anywhere near west Tennessee - but Forrest's scouts were among the best in the war and knew all the backdoors. Afterward, when the cavalrymen gathered for a meeting, Morgan marveled at how Forrest managed to get inside strongly held Union territory and rip it up like he did. "Oh," said Forrest, "I just took the short cut and got there first with the most men!" First with the most marked the entire raid. Col Forrest became Major General Forrest - and the most feared cavalryman on either side.
"the most feared cavalryman on either side."
Wong, he wasn't anything Cavalry like Hampton, or Stuart actually were. Too much is made of Forrest these days, he was just a good raider.

Kevin Dally
 

5fish

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2019
Messages
10,619
Reaction score
4,544
"the most feared cavalryman on either side."
Wong, he wasn't anything Cavalry like Hampton, or Stuart actually were. Too much is made of Forrest these days, he was just a good raider.

Kevin Dally
You are speaking truths to the Forrest sickofites...
 
Top