Sunday, April 6, 2014

Fort Pillow.

This is coolbert:

From the Chicago Tribune and "CHICAGO FLASHBACK" of today:

Thanks also to Stephan Benzkofer.

THE CIVIL WAR 150 YEARS LATER.

"Massacre at Fort Pillow"

"In one of the worst atrocities during a war filled with horrors, Confederate Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's troops 'cruelly butchered every colored soldier they could lay hands upon!' The Tribune reported."

"NEWS BY TELEGRAPH"

"THE FORT PILLOW MASSACRE."

"FIENDISH ATROCITIES OF THE CAPTORS. "

"Sickening details of Rebel Sepoyism."

"REPORTED FLUNKEYISM OF CERTAIN UNION OFFICERS."

"Later from Paducah - - The Rebels Still Hanging About."

"MATTERS IN CONGRESS YESTERDAY. "

"IMPORTANT LETTERS OF SECRETARY CHASE."

"HIS STATEMENT OF THE DEMANDS OF THE HOURS. "

"The New Tax Bill as Far as Agreed Upon. "

"From New Orleans, Texas and Mexico - - French Successes. "

"After a ferocious battle, the garrison [Union garrison at Fort Pillow] surrendered, and as the Tribune reported, the 'butchery' started. Casualty numbers vary widely but hundreds of black U.S. troops and some black women and children were killed. Their white officers were also murdered."

White federal troops having been spared, albeit the white officers in command of what at the time were called "colored troops" also murdered in cold-blood.

Nathan Bedford Forrest rated by Shelby Foote as one of the two geniuses to emerge from the American Civil War. Forrest the intuitive and talented amateur soldier and military commander adept and able to flummox and outwit the professionals. Lincoln for those interested that second genius as enunciated by Foote.

The Paducah Raid of Forrest I was not familiar with. Cavalry very light moving quickly in a raid into Yankee controlled territory. So late in the war too!

Sepoyism  referring to the native British Indian Army troops during the Sepoy Mutiny, the outright murder of surrendered English men, women and children during that conflict.

coolbert.

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