"The fort consisted of a dirt parapet, approximately 6 to 8 feet high, and formed a 125-foot semicircle. Built on a steep bluff that descended rapidly to the Mississippi, the fort faced east. To the north, a small stream, Cool Creek, entered the river. To the south, a small town consisting of storage buildings and bunkhouses sat in a ravine below the fort."
The Great Southern General, Nathan B. Forrest, described this dirt fort and the battle as follows, " I cannot compliment too highly the conduct of Colonels Bell and McCulloch and the officers and men of their brigades, which composed the forces of Brigadier-General Chalmers. They fought with courage and intrepidity, and without bayonets assaulted and carried one of the strongest fortifications in the country."
"My loss in the engagement was 20 killed and 60 wounded," Report of Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army, April 26, 1864. "We captured 164 Federals, 75 negro troops, and about 40 negro women and children"
Oh the proud descendants of these brave soldiers enjoy retelling this story of 'courage and intrepidity.' Less than 500 armed Black and White Union soldiers confined to a 125 semicircle wall of dirt defeated by an army of 5,000.
How about a map to show some details of the assault?
The dirt fort remains as a National Historic Landmark called Fort Pillow State Park.
Union survivors who escaped capture were less than 100. No Black soldiers survived capture. Forrest captured some 75 Black soldiers and some 40 Black women. Forrest did not consider them prisoners of war. Many would be lynched by the Southern troops during the following march. Bodies were left hanging in trees as a warning.
