The 9/14 Society

A favorite Bay High teacher was Bill Weeks, who taught us American History as freshmen and World History our senior year. Mr. Weeks, who died far, far too young, was an original character who terrified some and delighted the rest of us. His specialty in my memory was the War Between the States, our Civil War of 1861-1865. And while many of us most admired General Robert E. Lee, Mr. Week’s favorite character of the war was General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Mr. Weeks liked to say of General Forrest that his strategy in battle was “to git there fustest with the mostest.” The saying was often attributed to the General, who apparently had told an admiring woman of some victorious battle, “Ma’am, I got there first with the most men.” 

My current book is Nathan Bedford Forrest’s Redemption by Shane E. Kastler (Pelican, 2010), a fascinating biography. 

Of all our Confederate general officers, perhaps only General Lee had more monuments, parks, and high schools in the South named for him than Nathan Bedford Forrest. The book is a gift from beloved friend Jerry Henderson. Though he's actually a cousin, Jerry calls the General “Uncle Nathan.” 

Friends of long years, Jerry and I are Fellows of the 9/14 Society, a highly elect disorganization for which only about 1/365th of humans worldwide qualify. Membership is conferred and applications are not accepted. So exclusive is the 9/14 Society in fact, that even General Forrest is not eligible. I outrank Jerry by some years.

Happy birthday, Jerry.

Love,

Tom