Throughout American history, there have been multiple defining moments and multiple defining figures. Perhaps one of the most important is the American Civil War and the Confederate States of America's struggle over slavery. Confederate Army Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford Forrest had and still has a strong negative influence on most Americans while others consider him a hero. His influence was most evident during the American Civil War as he won many key battles such as the Battle of Fort Pillow and the Battle of _______________, while leaving a more lasting impression on America by founding the Ku Klux Klan or KKK. Fort Pillow took place in Lauderdale County, Tennessee on April 12, 1864, at the Union fort named Fort Pillow. The Confederates previously controlled the fort, but due to pressure from the Union Army, they had to abandon the fort for fear of being separated from the Confederate Army. In March of that year, Nathan Bedford Forrest launched a cavalry raid on Kentucky and western Tennessee. During this month-long cavalry raid, Forrest and his squadron had lost many supplies and horses. "There is a Federal force of 500 or 600 men at Fort Pillow, which I will deal with in a day or two, as they have horses and supplies that we need", in this quote we see that the initial cause of his attack is strictly related to supplies. This proves that Forrest did not go to Fort Pillow looking for a massacre. The Union was at a disadvantage during this battle, even though the fight was against him. vastly undermanned with only 500 to 600 troops compared to the Confederates with 1,500 to 2,500 troops Forrest was also interested in taking Yankees prisoner, so he ordered Captain Charles... middle of paper ... Children would be expected to become victims Klan member Catherine Dee Adams said, "I hate to be like that, but if it has to be..." (implying that if the children were to die, it would not). (was not serious and had to be done for the cause). This is not an isolated case: acts of prejudice and racism continue under the name of the Ku Klux KlanWorks Foundation CitedWikimedia. “Battle of Fort Pillow.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Pillow#cite_ref-Eicher657_1-0 (accessed April 28, 2014). Wikimedia Foundation. “Ku Klux Klan.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan#First_KKK (accessed April 27, 2014). “Ku Klux Klan – Extremism in America.” Ku Klux Klan – Extremism in America. http://archive.adl.org/learn/ext_us/kkk/crime.html?LEARN_SubCat=Extremism_in_America&xpicked=4&item=kkk (accessed April 28, 2014).