Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 04.djvu/169

 FORREST

FORREST

more successful roles were Rolla, William Tell, Virginius, Othello, Damon, Brutus, Metamora ami Spartacus. He had also played Jaffier, Octavian, Sir Edward Mortimer, Sir Giles Overreach, lago and kindred parts, but he gradually drojiped them. In later life he added to his repertory Baptista Febro, Jack Cade, Claude Melnotte, Richelieu, Richard III., Macbeth, Lear, Hamlet and Coriolanus. His life was written by J. Rees (187-1), William R. Alger (1877), and Lau- rence Barrett in "The Anaerican Actor Series" (1881). His death occurred at •' Spring Brook," Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 12, 1872.

FORREST, French, naval officer, was born in St. Mary's county, Md., in 1796; son of Col. Uriah Forrest (17.56-180.5). He was given a mid- shipman's warrant in the U.S. navy, June 9, 1811, serving with Capt;iin Perry at Newport in 1812, and under Captain Lawrence on board the Hornet in its encounter with the Peacock, Feb. 24, 1813. He was promoted b'eutenanti March 5, 1817, commander Feb. 9, 1837, and cap- tain March 30, 1844. He was adjutant-general of the land and naval forces in the war with Mex- ico, 1846-47, and directed the transportation of troops in the movements resulting in the capture of the Mexican capital. He resigned his com- mission in the U.S. navy in March, 1861, and was dismissed April 19, 1861, having joined the cause of the Confederacj'. His first command was as flag-officer of the Virginia navy on board the tug Harmony in the two days' operations in Hampton Roads that resulted in the evacuation of the Norfolk navy yard by the U.S. naval force, April 18, 1861. He was thereupon made flag-officer of the yard and about April 25 was made commandant of the naval station at Nor- folk, fitting out the fleet that made the attacks on the United States naval force in Hampton Roads, March 9, 1862. He ordered the destruc- tion of the navy yard on Slay 10, and of the iron-clad Jlcrrimac on May 11, 1S2, to prevent

their falling into the liands of the Federal forces. He commanded the James river squadron, 1862- 63, with the rank of Commodore, and was assist- ant secretary of the na^-y, 1863-63. He was married to Emily Douglas, daughter of John

Douglas and Mary (West) Simms; grand- daughter of Col. Roger and Mariamne (Craik) West; and great-granddaughter of Dr. James Craik (1730-1814). Their sou, Dulany A. Forrest, born about 1827, graduated from the U.S. naval academy in 1847, was promoted passed midship- man, Aug. 10, master, Sept. 1.5, 1855, and lieu- tenant, Sept. 16, 1855; was dismissed from the U.S. service, Dec. 7, 1861, joined the Confederate cause, and died during the war. Another son, Moreau Forrest, entered the U.S. naval academy in 1858, left to enter U.S. naval service in 1861, was promoted lieutenant, Aug. 1, 1862, lieuten- ant-commander, July 25, 1866, and died Nov. 24, 1866. Commodore Forrest died in Georgetown, D.C., Dec. 22, 1866.

FORREST, Nathan Bedford, soldier, was born in Bedford county, Teun., July 13. 1821. His father removed the family to Mississippi in 1834, where he died in 1837. leaving to Nathan the care of a large household. He liad no school training and established himself as a merchant at Hernando in 1842, removing in 1852 to Memphis, Tenn. ,

where he engaged as a real estate broker and in merchandis- ing. In 1859 he be- came a planter in Coahoma county, Miss., and amassed a considerable fortune. He joined the Con- federate army as a private in tlie Ten- nessee mounted rifles in June, 1861, and at the request of Gov- ernor Harris recruited a regiment of cavalry which he equipjied at his personal expense and of which he was made lieutenant-colonel. He escaped with his force from Fort Donelson, Feb. 15, 1862, after his advice to the comman- dant to continue to hold the fort was not acted on. He then made a raid by way of Nashville, Hunts- ville and luka, arri\iug in time to take part in the battle of Shiloh, April 0-7, 18G2, and was woimded in combat, April 8. As commander of the cavalrj' force he made the successful attack on Murfreesboro, Tenn., July 13, 1862, and while in command at that place, having been promoted brigadier-general, July 21, 1862, he took part in the action at Parker's Cross Roads, Dec. 31, 1862. He was engaged in the battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19-20, 1863, and was in northern Missis- sippi, November and December, 1863, when he was made major-general, and his command was known as Forrest's cavalry department. He

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