THE FORGOTTEN BATTLE OF FORT PILLOW AND THE BIRTH OF THE KU KLUX KLAN

This historical documentary uses Civil War re-enactments, historical footage, photos and contemporary interviews to explore a controversial event in American and African- American Civil War history. In 1864, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest led Rebel forces that overran Fort Pillow in Tennessee. Hundreds of Union soldiers were killed, some while surrendering or retreating. Most of the casualties were African- American soldiers. Considered a massacre by some and acceptable wartime action by others, the Battle of Fort Pillow triggered congressional hearings to investigate the actions of Forrest and his command.

After the war, Nathan Bedford Forrest was persuaded to become the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, a fraternal organization formed to protect Southerners' rights during Reconstruction. Forrest later ordered the Klan disbanded in reaction to the KKK's barbaric acts against African Americans. In the latter part of his life, Forrest sought reconciliation with African Americans, as evidenced by his speeches and support of African-American advancement.

Through examination of this talented military leader and the controversy surrounding his tactics, the video clarifies some of the critical issues of the Civil War. Several Civil War experts offer differing views of Forrest's actions during and after the War. The video is available in both VHS and DVD formats, and the latter includes the 56- min. documentary as well as twenty minutes of supplementary interviews with Civil War historians, a seven-minute "Teaching and Learning with DVD" segment, and DVD-ROM text files of speeches by Nathan Bedford Forrest.

Produced by Stan Armstrong, John Barrett and Michele Serra
2000, 83 minutes
Study Guide (incl. Topics and Barcodes guide) available

"...beautifully done...sheds light on a time in history that many students know little about...American history and African American studies classes will find this a useful supplement to the curriculum." - School Library Journal

"...excellent...a detailed study of this dark piece of American history...viewers will find this video useful for the coverage of Forrest and this aspect of the war with relation to African Americans. For all media collections." - Library Journal

Subjects & Collections