Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Kurz & Allison The Fort Pillow Massacre.

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07727 Author/Creator: Kurz & Allison Place Written: Chicago, Illinois Type: Print Date: 1892 Pagination: 1 print : col. : 56.3 x 71.5 cm. Order a Copy

Depicts the April 1864 battle at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, in which witnesses reported that Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest violated the conduct of war by killing unarmed and surrendered soldiers. Underneath the print, text indicates that Union forces were led by Majors William F. Bradford and Lionel F. Booth (who was killed during the battle). Portrays Confederate soldiers killing African American soldiers, women, and children. In the center of the print, Forrest hoists the Confederate flag. For an extensive eyewitness account of the battle, please refer to GLC05080.01.

It is estimated that 560 Union troops fought 1,500-2,000 Confederate soldiers in the Battle of Fort Pillow, Tennessee. Most of the Union soldiers killed at Fort Pillow, both during and after the battle, were African American. Much controversy exists regarding the historical facts of the Battle of Fort Pillow.

Kurz & Allison (publishers), fl. 19th century
Booth, Lionel F., -1864
Bradford, William F., -1864
Forrest, Nathan Bedford, 1821-1877

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources