Hundreds of Union soldiers killed in Fort Pillow Massacre
During the American Civil War Major General Nathan Bedford Forrests Confederate raiders attack the isolated Union garrison at Fort Pillow Tennessee overlooking the Mississippi River.The fort an important part of the Confederate river defense system was captured by federal forces in 1862.Of the 500-strong Union garrison defending the fort more than half the soldiers were African-Americans.After an initial bombardment General Forrest asked for the garrisons surrender.
The Union commander refused and Forrests 1500 cavalry troopers easily stormed and captured the fort suffering only moderate casualties.However the extremely high proportion of Union casualties231 killed and more than 100 seriously woundedraised questions about the Confederates conduct after the battle.Union survivors accounts later supported by a federal investigation concluded that African-American troops were massacred by Forrests men after surrendering.
Southern accounts disputed these findings and controversy over the battle continues today.The enlistment of African-Americans into the Union army began after the enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1 1863 and by the wars end 180000 African Americans had fought in the Union army and 10000 in the navy.
