Got any evidence to the contrary?
On August 28, 1868, in the Cincinnati Commercial, Lt General Forrest was interviewed to get his “…views in regard to the condition of your civil and political affairs in the State of Tennessee, and the South generally…” The following back and forth is between the reporter and Forrest. The reporter begins asking about the Klan.
“Why, General, we people up north have regarded the Ku-Klux as an organization which existed only in the frightened imagination of a few politicians”
“Well, sir, there is such an organization, not only in Tennessee, but all over the South, and its numbers have not been exaggerated.”
“What are its numbers, general?”
“In Tennessee there are over 40,000; in all the Southern states they number about 550,000 men.”
“What is the character of the organization; May I inquire?”
“Yes, sir. It is a protective political military organization. I am willing to show any man the constitution of the society. The members are sworn to recognize the government of the United States. It does not say anything at all about the government of Tennessee. Its objects originally were protection against Loyal Leagues and the Grand Army of the Republic; but after it became general it was found that political matters and interests could best be promoted within it, and it was then made a political organization, giving its support, of course, to the Democratic party.”
“Do you think, general, that the Ku-Klux have been of any benefit to the State?”
“No doubt of it. Since its organization, the leagues have quit killing and murdering our people. There were some foolish young men who put masks on their faces and rode over the country, frightening negroes, but orders have been issued to stop that, and it has ceased. You may say, further, that three members of the Ku-Klux have been court-martialed and shot for violations of the orders not to disturb or molest people.”
“Do you think, General, that the Ku-Klux have been of any benefit to the State?”
“No doubt of it. Since its organization, the leagues have quit killing and murdering our people. There were some foolish young men who put masks on their faces and rode over the country, frightening negroes, but orders have been issued to stop that, and it has ceased. You may say, further, that three members of the Ku-Klux have been court-martialed and shot for violations of the orders not to disturb or molest people.”
“Are you a member of the Ku-Klux, general?”
“I am not, but am in sympathy and will co-operate with them. I know that they are charged with many crimes that they are not guilty of. A case in point is the killing of Bierfield at Franklin, a few days ago. I sent a man up there especially to investigate the case, and report to me, and I have his letter here now, in which he states that they had nothing to do with it as an organization.”
“Then I suppose that there can be no doubt of a conflict if the militia interfere with the people; is that your view?”
“Yes, sir; if they attempt to carry out Governor Brownlow’s proclamation, by shooting down Ku-Klux - for he calls all Southern men Ku-Klux - if they go to hunting down and shooting these men, there will be war, and a bloodier one than we have ever witnessed. I have told these radicals here what they might expect in such an event. I have no power to burn or kill negroes. I intend to kill the radicals. I have told them this and more, there is not a radical leader in this town but is a marked man, and if a trouble should break out, none of them would be left alive. I have told them that they are trying to create a disturbance and then slip out and leave the consequences to fall upon the negroes, but they can’t do it. When the fight comes not one of them would get out of this town asaying it was “being perverted from its original honorable and patriotic purposes, becoming injurious instead of subservient to the public peace”live. We don’t intend they shall ever get out of the country. But I want it distinctly understood that I am opposed to any war, and will only fight in self-defence.”
The Klan’s increasing reputation for violence led the more prominent citizens to drop out while criminals and the dispossessed began to fill the ranks. Local chapters proved difficult, if not impossible, to monitor and direct. In disgust in January 1869, Forrest officially disbanded the organization saying it was “being perverted from its original honorable and patriotic purposes, becoming injurious instead of subservient to the public peace” and the vast majority of local groups followed his lead. a small number of local units continued to operate but were eventually disbanded or sent into hiding by federal troops.
The reporter should have asked him if he had ever belonged to the kkk. One wonders how he could disband a group that he never belonged to. hmmmmm