In October, after Forrest was formally elected Colonel and Parson Kelly the major, the battalion reported first to Colonel Heiman at Dover, TN and then up to General Tilghman in Hopkinsville, KY.
This point had now become the outpost of the main body at Bowling Green.
The Confederate strategy in the West was to secure Kentucky for the South with the Ohio River as the northern boundary, a river that was wide and easily defended.
At this juncture, nothing startling happened to Colonel Forrest and his men. He made several reconnaissances in force, captured a richly laden transport, and hardened his men by long marches in severe weather, in the course of which these raw recruits, unaccustomed to such exposure and many of them weakened by camp diseases, suffered greatly. He lessened complaint, however, by sharing their hardships with them.
On these forays, his green soldiers learned one very certain thing, that it was his single will, impervious to argument, appeal, or threat, which was ever to be the governing impulse in their movements. Everything necessary to supply their wants, to make them comfortable, he was quick to do. But he would not change his plans – not to please them, at least. The command
grumbled, but when the work was achieved, it took pride in the achievement. The sooner soldiers learn they have a commander who intends to command, the sooner are they able to get down to the serious business of fighting. " -40
-Andrew Lytle, Bedford Forrest and his Critter Company
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