Correct as always, Mr. Jones.
The original LaGrange, on the same site as the later Military Academy, was the first state chartered institute of higher learning in Alabama. Many of the original trustees were Lawrence County residents, including the Rev. Turner Saunders, father of Colonel James Edmunds Saunders. Colonel J. E. Saunders, author of the celebrated book "Early Settlers of Alabama" (still in print, and the source of many Civil War rosters), is credited locally with bringing to the early attention of Confederate authorities Forrest's abilities. The Colonel served as Forrest's aide until he received a severe wound and retired to his plantation "Rocky Hill". He and Forrest remained friends and Forrest last visited Rocky Hill only a few weeks before his death. See the story below from the Moulton Advertiser of 27 Feb 1890, reprinted from the Memphis Avalanche.
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Memphis Avalanche.
Col. James E. Saunders of Courtland, Ala., who has been spending some few days at the Gayoso hotel as the guest of Mr. and Mrs. L.B. McFarland, his daughter, left yesterday for New Orleans, where he goes to visit his granddaughter, Mrs. W.C. Stubbs, whose husband is state geologist of Louisiana. Miss Kate Saunders, daughter of Dr. D.D. Saunders, the colonel's son, accompanied him. The venerable Alabamian had a severe attack of the influenza during his stay in Memphis, but was happily recovered when he left the city. Colonel Saunders, some years past an octogenarian, has been a remarkable man in mental and moral, as well as physical virtue. He was a persuading factor in the recognition of the merit of Gen. N. Forrest by the confederate government, and thought so well of his favorite that he went with him in some of his campaigns until dangerously shot through the breast at the battle of Murfreesboro. Colonel Saunders has wonderfully survived many griefs, vicissitudes and adversities that came to those whose hearts were deeply and bravely sympathetic with the southern cause, but his old age is rich with the wisdom of a rare experience, and serene and self poised, calm to meet any fate, in his failing years, as when youth buoyed his strong mind and honorable ambitions, he is a man well worth the attention of men to meet and to know. There are few like him now who survive of great old leaders.
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Hoyt Cagle