True West Magazine
The legacy of Gen. George Forsyth’s leadership in the famous battle remains controversial over 150 years later.
George “Sandy” Forsyth was a hard-charging cavalry officer tough, brave and aggressive. He was also stubborn to a fault and willing to push his men to the limits of their endurance. Forsyth compiled an impressive combat record during the Civil War, but it was as an Indian fighter that he earned his fame and became known as the “Hero of Beecher Island.” In many ways, Forsyth was a hero, but some of his heroics occurred because of the bull-headed tactics that placed him and his men in desperate situations.