March 16, 1864 – “That Devil Forrest” Rides for Kentucky – and on to Ft. Pillow

This day 150 years ago in Rebel Raiders’ History

-Dedicated to Civil War episodes, battles, people and ships that also appear in my game, GMT’s Rebel Raiders on the High Seas.

March 16, 1864 – “That Devil Forrest” Rides for Kentucky – and on to Ft. Pillow

Historical Event:  On March 16, 1864 General Nathan Bedford Forrest led his famed cavalry command on a month-long raid that would take him through Tennessee and into Kentucky, where he twice attacked Paducah on the Ohio River.  Rebuffed there, Forrest sent most of his division back South while with about 1,500 horsemen continued to lead pursuing Union troops on a wild chase as he headed for Fort Pillow.  There, on April 12, Forrest defeated the defending regiment of U.S. Colored Troops – several dozen of whom were killed allegedly after they surrendered.  The “Fort Pillow Massacre” left a stain upon the honor of General Forrest, whose own reports of the incident are at best ambiguous. 

Game Connection:  Although Rebel Raiders on the High Seas is primarily a strategic naval game of the Civil War, the land war is represented.  General Nathan Bedford Forrest appears in the game as CSN Card 85, and the diversionary nature of his raids are reflected in the penalties applied to one Union land attack when played.