[The Reaper]

U.S Presidents owning slaves:

Washington
Jefferson
Madison
Monroe
Jackson
Van Buren
Harrison
Tyler
Polk
Taylor
Johnson
Grant

Many of these prospered as well. I suppose by the above standard, they should not have schools named after them, either.


The accounts of Fort Pillow remain controversial to this day. Each side has their own version, and I suspect that the truth lies somewhere in between. Ultimately, history is largely written by the victors, or those with the most ink.

In fact, the Confederates, who outnumbered the Federal troops by four to one or more, had the fort surrounded and in an advantageous positions to deliver a withering cross-fire upon the defenders, creating the majority of the casualties, which approached 50% of the Federal forces. Forrest offered terms to the then Federal commander, Major Bradford:

"The conduct of the officers and men garrisoning Fort Pillow has been such as to entitle them to being treated a prisoners of war. I demand the unconditional surrender of the entire garrison, promising that you shall be treated as prisoners of war. My men have just received a fresh supply of ammunition, and from their present position can easily assault and capture the fort. Should my demand be refused, I cannot be responsible for the fate of your command."

Bradford's response: "I will not surrender."

Forrest immediately ordered a charge on the remainder of the Federals. The Union troops broke and ran for their gunboats nearby where many were shot down on the run, and others drowned trying to swim to safety. The fleeing Federal soldiers admitted that they kept their weapons and many continued to fire during their withdrawal from the fort.

Does this sound a bit inflammatory? "the Confederates, enraged by the sight of black men in Federal uniform...." How would you (or anyone other than the soldiers involved) know what "enraged" the Confederates? By all accounts I can find, neither Major Booth (the initial Federal commander who was killed early on), nor Major Bradford struck the colors or raised a while flag. How do you determine when a force has ceased resistance, but continues to fire? Note, this is all prior to the Geneva or Hague Conventions.

I have already addressed Forrest's participation in the Klan in my previous post.

We can each review the facts and accounts and take of history what we will.

FWIW, I agree that the school should not be named for General Forrest. I do however, applaud him for his bravery and courage in combat. He had three horses shot out from underneath him at Fort Pliiow.

TR