General Forrest

by James Ronald Chalmers

GENERAL FORREST—A CONFEDERATE.

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Camp Song—Written by Gen. J. R. Chalmers, 1864.

Air—“Columbia, the Home of the Brave.”

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The day of our destiny was darkened,
The heart of the Nation stood still,
When Forts Henry and Donelson surrendered,
And Johnston fell back to Nashville.
But the clouds, which then thickened around us,
Served only the plainer to show
The form of that hero arising
To deliver us all from the foe.

Chorus

Here’s to Forrest from the brave Tennessee,
Here’s to Forrest from the brave Tennessee,
In our hearts he will triumph forever,
Here’s to Forrest from the brave Tennessee.

At Shiloh he charged a division
And covered our army’s retreat;
At Murfreesboro won his promotion
When Crittenden acknowledged defeat.
Next Streight went careering before him,
Expecting our rear to assail,
But Forrest, with his fair maiden pilot,
Soon landed the robber in jail.

Chorus—

Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Okolona,
Memphis and Tishomingo Creek,
Union City, Fort Pillow and Paducah,
All, the deeds of our hero bespeak.
Now Athens, Sulphur Springs and Pulaski
Have aroused old Sherman from his lair,
For the boldest of Yankee commanders
Will tremble with Forrest in his rear.

Chorus—

Next Johnsonville attracted his attention
Where Sherman had collected his stores,
And the gunboats, once terrible to mention,
Floated grandly and proudly at its doors.
But Forrest’s artillery battalion,
Morton, Rice, Ed Walton and Thrall,
Soon set fire to his gunboats and transports,
Nor ceased till they had burned them all.

Chorus—