The Stage Play

This stage play is a dramatization using verbatim testimony of the witnesses to that event over 150 years ago juxtapose excerpts from books by historians’ re-telling what they believe actually took place on that day.

The True Story

On April 12, 1864, during the America Civil War, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest and approximately 1,500 Confederate soldiers attacked Fort Pillow in Tennessee. The Union garrison was manned by approximately 550 soldiers; almost half were black troops – most were runaway slaves. The Confederate Army was able to gain a commanding position on the field of battle. General Forrest asked for surrender, which the Union garrison commander refused. The Confederate Army then stormed the fort and easily won the battle. Fourteen Confederates lost their lives, while almost 300 Union soldiers died. Because of high casualties particularly among the black Union troops, the Confederates were accused of perpetrating a massacre. Within two weeks, the U.S. Congress Joint Select Committee on the Conduct of the War conducted an investigation; their report was titled: Fort Pillow Massacre. Over the years much has been written admiring Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Yet controversy continues to surround this little known battle.