Fort Pillow State Park

Infobox_nrhp2 | name =Fort Pillow
nhl = yes

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caption = Cannons at Fort Pillow, 2006
location = TN State Route 87
nearest_city = Henning
lat_degrees = 35
lat_minutes = 38
lat_seconds = 20
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 89
long_minutes = 49
long_seconds = 56
long_direction = W
locmapin = Tennessee
area =
built =1861
architect=
architecture=
designated_nhl = May 30, 1974cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=1389&ResourceType=Site
title=Fort Pillow |accessdate=2008-06-27|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = April 11, 1973cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
governing_body = State of Tennessee
refnum=73001806 Fort Pillow State Park is a state park in western Tennessee that preserves the American Civil War site of the Battle of Fort Pillow. The 1,642 acre (6.6 km²) Fort Pillow, located in Lauderdale County on the Chickasaw Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, is rich in both historic and archaeological significance.

Fort Pillow is known for being the site of a horrific massacre.

Confederate fort 1861

In 1861, the Confederate States Army built extensive fortifications here and named the site for General Gideon J. Pillow of Maury County.

Union fort, and Battle of Fort Pillow

Because of its strategic location, the fort was taken by the Union Army, which controlled it during most of the war. An exception to this control occurred for less than one day immediately after the Battle of Fort Pillow in 1864.

June 4, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate troops evacuate Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River, leaving the way clear for Union troops to take Memphis, Tennessee.

The Confederate victory at the Battle of Fort Pillow (April 1864) ended in the killing of 229 Black Union soldiers out of 262 engaged in the battle. This slaughter by the Southern troops under Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest has been labeled a . "Remember Fort Pillow!" became a battle cry among Black soldiers for the remainder of the Civil War.

In 1866, the Union Army created a cemetery for both Confederate and Union soldiers south of the battle site. In 1867, they moved about 250 bodies of Confederate and Union soldiers from that cemetery to the Memphis National Cemetery. [cite book
title= Fort Pillow, a Civil War Massacre, and Public Memory
last= Cimprich
first= John
year= 2005
publisher= LSU Press
location= Baton Rouge, LA
isbn= 0807131105
pages= 193]

Historic site and museum

In 1973, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places.http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com National Register of Historic Places] It was further declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974.citation|title=PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/73001806.pdf National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: __________] |32 KB|date=__, 19__ |author=____WEBSITE DOWN ADD LATER____ |publisher=National Park Service and PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/73001806.pdf "Accompanying __ photos, exterior and interior, from 19__"] |32 KB] Remains of the earthworks were well-preserved as of 2007.

The park has an Interpretive Center/Museum (open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily, except for certain holidays). Tours of the museum and restored fortifications are available upon request. The park also offers many recreational activities, including camping, picnicking and fishing.

ee also

* Battle of Fort Pillow
* Golddust

References

External links

* [http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/FortPillow/index.shtml Fort Pillow State Historic Park Website]