Battle of Fort Pillow

The Battle of Fort Pillow, also known as the Fort Pillow massacre, was fought on April 12, 1864, at Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River in Henning, Tennessee, during the American Civil War. The battle ended with Confederate soldiers commanded by Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest massacring U.S. Army soldiers (many of them African Americans) attempting to surrender. Military historian David J. Eicher concluded: "Fort Pillow marked one of the bleakest, saddest events of American military history."

This article is about the 1864 land battle and massacre. For the 1862 naval battle, see Fort Pillow naval battle.

Battle of Fort Pillow
Part of the American Civil War

Caption in Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper (New York), May 7, 1864, "The war in Tennessee: Confederate massacre of black Union troops after the surrender at Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864"
DateApril 12, 1864 (1864-04-12)
Location
Lauderdale County, Tennessee
Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
 United States (Union)  Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
  • Lionel F. Booth †
  • William F. Bradford †
Units involved

Fort Pillow garrison

  • Four companies of the 6th U.S. Artillery (C)
  • Bradford's Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry
  • One section of Battery D, 2nd U.S. Artillery (C)
 1st Division, Forrest's Cavalry Corps
Strength
600 1,500–2,500
Casualties and losses
221 killed, 130 wounded
  • 100 total
  • 14 killed
  • 86 wounded
Location within Tennessee
Battle of Fort Pillow (the United States)
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