FORT PILLOW MASSACRE

GENERAL INFORMATION

• April 12, 1864
• Fort Pillow, Tennessee
• Union fort
• Confederate victory

THE BATTLE

• ~2500 confederate troops
• ~500 union troops
• Confederates overran the fort with few casualties on either side

CONTROVERSY

• Once the union soldiers surrendered, the confederates killed 300 African American troops with the union army
• It is still unclear whether the men acted of their own accord or under orders
• Deadliest incident of racism in civil war

AFTERMATH

• Became a rallying cry for the northern abolitionists
• Increased hatred between the north and south
• Turned many people neutral on the war against the south