The bugle sounded, followed by the Rebel Yell. What followed was the most infamous massacre of the Civil War. In March, 1864 Confederate Gen.

The bugle sounded, followed by the Rebel Yell. What followed was the most infamous massacre of the Civil War. In March, 1864 Confederate Gen.

 Nathan Bedford Forrest launched a cavalry raid into western Kentucky and Tennessee. One of his targets was Fort Pillow, located on the Mississippi River near Memphis. 

The fort was held by a white cavalry unit and African-American artillerymen. The Union force totaled 600. 

Forrest had 1,500-2,500 veteran warriors. It was not a strong defensive position.

 When Forrest arrived on **April 12**, his sharpshooters opened deadly fire (one of the first victims was the commanding officer) and his artillery bombarded the fort. 

It quickly became apparent that the fort was untenable. Forrest demanded unconditional surrender and promised the garrison would be treated as prisoners of war. 

The new commander, Maj. William Bradford, refused. The bugle initiated the storming of the fort. The Yankees put up little fight as the Rebels burst into the fort.

 Some of the garrison panicked and ran to the landing (led by the incompetent Bradford) where a gunboat did not provide the promised support. 

Many were shot down as they ran or drowned in the river. The rest threw down their arms in the fort and tried to surrender. 

Most evidence points to many of them being murdered. The death toll was around 300. Forrest lost 14. The North and South offered differing versions of what happened.

 Although the South argued nothing beyond the rules of war occurred, the North’s version still dominates the history books. 

Most historians side with the official version, although pointing out the massacre was probably exaggerated. 

Evidence supporting the war crime includes the fact that only 20% of the blacks were taken prisoner, as opposed to 60% of the whites.

 Also, the number of deaths greatly exceeded the number of wounded (the opposite of normal for a battle). 

And then there is the fact that Forrest was a slave trader before the war (and head of the KKK after) who was a notorious racist. 

He was one of the greatest cavalry commanders in American History, but apparently a man who either could not or would not rein in his men at Fort Pillow.