Nathan Forrest Gump Essay

Nathan Bedford Forrest is memorialized as one of the greatest cavalrymen of the American Civil War, and arguably one of the most controversial. He was born in Tennessee in 1812 to a broken family. Forrest worked as a cotton planter and slave trader, in which he largely profited. In the early years of the war he pledged his allegiance to the Confederate States, and enlisted as a Private in the army. Soon Forrest rose to Lieutenant General, despite having no prior military training. Forrest served as a cavalry officer at numerous major battles, where he earned his nickname, “The Wizard of the Saddle”, and conducted several successful raids. Following his retirement in the military forces, Forrest worked as a planter and railroad president. In 1866, Forrest would become an early member of the Ku Klux Klan, or KKK. His Confederate views held true as he was inducted as the first Grand Wizard of the KKK. Forrest will be remembered for his military action and
With a cavalry division of 2,500 men, Forrest attacked the Union’s garrison by force. Forrest demanded an unconditional surrender. When Union Major Bradford refused, the Confederates resumed attack, ending in a deadly crossfire. Casualties were high; 654 in total. Forrest’s men then proceeded to slaughter over 200 Union soldiers, the majority being former black slaves. This incident became known as the Fort Pillow Massacre (“Battle Summary: Fort Pillow, TN”). The Joint Committee on the Conduct of War later investigated, and agreed Forrest and his men had committed unjust murder. This event stained his reputation, but at the time, was outshined by his other war victories. Forrest continued to lead troops from a cavalry standpoint, and awarded his final promotion as Lieutenant General in February 1865. Forrest’s military career ended with the war on May 9, 1985 after the Confederate States of American surrendered to the