To many loyal Southerners the Civil War was seen as the war of Northern aggression. When it began Nathan was already a millionaire having been born poor but getting rich in the slave business. He left his plantation and enlisted in the Confederate Army. He was the South's best strategist, capturing and killing unarmed Union soldiers (both Black and White) in the Battle of Fort Pillow which took place one year after this picture was taken (1863). Although Nathan was considered a military genius, like most CSA veterans, he found himself angered by the changes of Reconstruction in the South. He is considered to be a founding member and the original “Grand Wizard” of the mysterious Ku Klux Klan in 1867. The original purpose of the clan was to protect loyal white (and Black) Southerners from the greed (real and imagined) of the Northern carpetbaggers. He later ordered the group to disband after they became increasingly violent with their terrorist activities. Ironically he was known to be a supporter of Civil Rights for Blacks is his later life.QUESTION:
The more I researched this guy the more mystery I uncovered. Some say he really never was that involved with the Klan and that they originally were for self-defense. Others say that he lied about not being involved so he could be in charge in secret! Um, what do you think he was - racist or loyal Southerner?
2 comments:
I considered him a rascist but the more reading I do about Bedford Forrest I second guess myself. Although he is accused of being a rascist responsible for the killing of black soldiers many of his other actions portray him differently. He made speeches that clearly showed how much respect he had towards blacks. He promoted black voting rights, and equal opportunities in getting a job for blacks. Robert E. Lee considered Bedford Forrest his greatest general and when he died a numerous amount of blacks attended his funeral. Racist or loyal southerner? =/ who knows....
KARINA 8TH PERIOD
(HE COULD HAVE BEEN BOTH?)
I THINK NATHAN BEDFORD WAS A LOYAL SOUTHERNER BECAUSE THE PEOPLE FROM THE SOUTH DESAGREED WITH
EX-SLAVERY, THE FREEDMAN BREAU, CARPETBAGGERS ETC... THE FACT THAT HE WAS KNOWN LATER ON TO BE A SUPPORTER OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS FOR BLACKS IN HIS LATER LIFE GIVES ME DOUBT THAT HE COULD HAVE BEEN RACIST...
Post a Comment