Fort Pillow State Historic Park: Remembering the 1864 Massacre

Fort Pillow State Historic Park in Tennessee marks the site of one of the most devastating and significant events of the Civil War. On April 12, 1864, after Union forces were defeated at the Battle of Fort Pillow, Confederate troops killed large numbers of surrendering Union soldiers — most of them members of the United States Colored Troops.

The brutality of the attack shocked the nation. Survivors reported that many Black soldiers were shot after attempting to surrender, and the phrase “Remember Fort Pillow” became a powerful rallying cry among Black Union soldiers who continued to fight in the final year of the war. The event triggered national outrage, leading to a federal investigation and becoming one of the most widely debated atrocities of the conflict.

Today, families can visit Fort Pillow State Historic Park to walk the preserved earthworks, explore museum exhibits, and learn how this battle shaped the fight for freedom, equality, and recognition of Black soldiers’ service during the Civil War.

Add Fort Pillow to your DuckAbroad Travel Passport to help your kids connect with the places and stories that continue to shape American history.

More information:

• Fort Pillow State Historic Park (Tennessee State Parks)

• Official Battle Summary (American Battlefield Trust)

• Black History

• Wikipedia

• History.com