Fort Pillow

[mobile_96]

Anyone have any opinions on whether Forrests attack on Ft Pillow April 12, 1864 was:
A. A massacre
and if so:
B. Did Forrest order one, directly or indirectly.
and if not:
C. Do you think the large numbers of Union deaths, when compared to the Confederates,was due to Union actions before and at the time of the attack.
Any sources used for a decision would be of a great help to me.
Chuck in Il.

[5fish]

Originally Posted by mobile_96

Anyone have any opinions on whether Forrests attack on Ft Pillow April 12, 1864 was:
A. A massacre
and if so:
B. Did Forrest order one, directly or indirectly.
and if not:
C. Do you think the large numbers of Union deaths, when compared to the Confederates,was due to Union actions before and at the time of the attack.
Any sources used for a decision would be of a great help to me.
Chuck in Il.

To question A) Yes, it was a massacre!!

To question B) Yes, Forest order it for he became the leader of the Klan after the war. For that, he loses any chance for a creditable denial of the truth. If he did order it, he did try to stop it either.

To question C) False, one two many shot in the head.


Source reading reports by navel officer who went on shore after the massacre.

[timewalker]

See the rather lengthy (and heated) discussion at:

http://civilwartalk.com/forums/civil...rt-pillow.html

[Nytram01]

Conflicting accounts of the events of Fort Pillow means that we probably dont entirely know the truth and probably never will .

There probably was a massacre but I dont think that Forrest ordered it. I think the reports of Forrest participating and encouraging in the massacre are an exageration.

Personnally I think that Forrest is somewhat unfairly villified for this one incident, as if his entire civil war career is rendered worthless for this one moment. For example, a little while ago an American politician was heavilly criticized simply for quoting Forrest while involved in a debate over Iraq and that's a bit extreme.

Fort Pillow is a black spot on Forrest's record and he is blamed for it because he was the commanding officer and as such he must take responsibility however I do not believe that he personally ordered or condoned the massacre of surrendered troops.

In all honesty I think Forrest role in the Fort Pillow massacre has been blown out of proportions. If Forrest is guilty of anything in regards to Fort Pillow he is guilty of losing control of his men

[Battalion]

Originally Posted by mobile_96

Anyone have any opinions on whether Forrests attack on Ft Pillow April 12, 1864 was:
A. A massacre

No. Too many survivors for a massacre.

and if so:
B. Did Forrest order one, directly or indirectly.

N/A

and if not:
C. Do you think the large numbers of Union deaths, when compared to the Confederates,was due to Union actions before and at the time of the attack.

Several reports of Union officers indicate that the USCT were encouraged to fight to the death.

[Blockaderunner]

Yes, it was a massacre. No, I don't think NBF ordered it. But, I don't think he tried to stop it.

[richard]

There is so much information out there on this subject that it would take years to digest. In order to form an educated view of this incident, you will need to read as much as possible about it from both sides. In the new book about Forrest's Escort, there is some very good information in it. The other factor about this, is the location of the fort and what was going on in the river below. If one is serious about finding the truth they should not only read everything possible but also visit the location and see for your self just what the books are talking about.

[ole]

There is no doubt in my mind that there was a bit of excessive killing going on. But tying Forrest to it? Can't do it.

ole

[cash]

A. Yes.
B. No.
C. No.

Regards,
Cash

[larry_cockerham]

Some folks who were killed didn't follow orders nor good judgement. There's plenty in the civil war to blame Forrest for. Fort Pillow is a minor one at best. If William T. Sherman couldn't hang him with it, the evidence was and is scarce.