Alan, the story is that there were 65 blacks in his entire command. There were only eight in his escort. I have read this in several places, but they are all secondary sources. I've got a new Forrest biography "somewhere", but it could be in a box in my garage, or still in my old house, where we have several items still to move, after a year in the new house! I think we are blaming our procastination on waiting for the market to improve. LOL When I find it I'll see if there are references we can rely upon. The remark about the quality of the black troops is supposed to have been made in his speech to the forerunner of the NAACP, the "Pole Bearers". If I remember correctly, it was in 1875, in Memphis. Perhaps Chief Upton can locate a news account, if there is one. Good luck with your Valley Fever. Stan