FloydandZ
Cadet
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2016
Of course Nathan Bedford Forrest is one of the most famous confederates. He also has the infamous claim to being the first grand wizard of the KKK. However, Nathan would later disband the KKK (or so it's claimed) and distance himself from the group. He was also a slave trader before the civil war which was not a business for those who are sensitive. Slave traders were greatly disliked even among slaveholders. They did the dirty business. His former slaves described him as being terrifyingly brutal. And of course not to forget, he was also blamed for the massacre of surrendering black union troops in the Battle of Fort pillow. It's said that he extremely hated black union troops and a Confederate cavalryman once recounted how Forrest "cussed [him] out" for failing to execute a captured black Union soldier.
Moreover, other descriptions do not portray him kindly. Apparently he shot his own men if they tried to shirk a battle. Furthermore, he was to be given "to duels and furious arguments, oversaw savage whippings of recalcitrant slaves, shaded the truth in his own behalf repeatedly, and once wrongly shot innocent "deserters."
And his time apart of the KKK is also not pretty. He "intend[ed]" to kill radical Republicans. He added that he could raise 40,000 men in four days. It said that he disbanded the KKK once it became violent; however, the KKK had already been violent under his leadership and it successfully ended up terrifying the blacks and republicans from voting. When questioned by congress, he would always deny being apart of the KKK even though he was the leader.
Sherman described him as the 'devil' who should be "hunted down and killed if it costs 10,000 lives and bankrupts the treasury."
However, it appears that close to the end of his life, he had gone through radical (I say radical considering his history) change of beliefs about the black southern population. Although he may just be acting for some reason.
This is a speech he made in 1875 (he would die two years later):
Moreover, other descriptions do not portray him kindly. Apparently he shot his own men if they tried to shirk a battle. Furthermore, he was to be given "to duels and furious arguments, oversaw savage whippings of recalcitrant slaves, shaded the truth in his own behalf repeatedly, and once wrongly shot innocent "deserters."
And his time apart of the KKK is also not pretty. He "intend[ed]" to kill radical Republicans. He added that he could raise 40,000 men in four days. It said that he disbanded the KKK once it became violent; however, the KKK had already been violent under his leadership and it successfully ended up terrifying the blacks and republicans from voting. When questioned by congress, he would always deny being apart of the KKK even though he was the leader.
Sherman described him as the 'devil' who should be "hunted down and killed if it costs 10,000 lives and bankrupts the treasury."
However, it appears that close to the end of his life, he had gone through radical (I say radical considering his history) change of beliefs about the black southern population. Although he may just be acting for some reason.
This is a speech he made in 1875 (he would die two years later):
I will say to you and to the colored race that men who bore arms and followed the flag of the Confederacy are, with very few exceptions, your friends. I have an opportunity of saying what I have always felt – that I am your friend, for my interests are your interests, and your interests are my interests. We were born on the same soil, breathe the same air, and live in the same land. Why, then, can we not live as brothers? I will say that when the war broke out I felt it my duty to stand by my people. When the time came I did the best I could, and I don't believe I flickered. I came here with the jeers of some white people, who think that I am doing wrong. I believe that I can exert some influence, and do much to assist the people in strengthening fraternal relations, and shall do all in my power to bring about peace. It has always been my motto to elevate every man- to depress none. I want to elevate you to take positions in law offices, in stores, on farms, and wherever you are capable of going.
I have not said anything about politics today. I don't propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when that is done, that you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you. I am not much of a speaker, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Use your best judgement in selecting men for office and vote as you think right.
Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. I have been in the heat of battle when colored men, asked me to protect them. I have placed myself between them and the bullets of my men, and told them they should be kept unharmed. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I'll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand.
Does anyone know or understand why he made a speech like this? Did the radical republicans manage to blackmail him into saying this or something? It just seems greatly inconsistent with his character and his past actions. It comes off as obvious lies too.
I have not said anything about politics today. I don't propose to say anything about politics. You have a right to elect whom you please; vote for the man you think best, and I think, when that is done, that you and I are freemen. Do as you consider right and honest in electing men for office. I did not come here to make you a long speech, although invited to do so by you. I am not much of a speaker, and my business prevented me from preparing myself. I came to meet you as friends, and welcome you to the white people. I want you to come nearer to us. When I can serve you I will do so. We have but one flag, one country; let us stand together. We may differ in color, but not in sentiment. Use your best judgement in selecting men for office and vote as you think right.
Many things have been said about me which are wrong, and which white and black persons here, who stood by me through the war, can contradict. I have been in the heat of battle when colored men, asked me to protect them. I have placed myself between them and the bullets of my men, and told them they should be kept unharmed. Go to work, be industrious, live honestly and act truly, and when you are oppressed I'll come to your relief. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for this opportunity you have afforded me to be with you, and to assure you that I am with you in heart and in hand.
Does anyone know or understand why he made a speech like this? Did the radical republicans manage to blackmail him into saying this or something? It just seems greatly inconsistent with his character and his past actions. It comes off as obvious lies too.
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