Posted on 08/08/2010 3:04:04 AM PDT by GonzoII
Do you honestly think Forrest would address a black para-military group in the Reconstruction South? The man who headed the Klan for a while?
Nathan Bedford Forrest did not found the Ku-Klux Klan. How many times must that historical error be corrected?
Perhaps he could envision a future when people would attempt to turn history on its head, claim that the United States was inherently racist, and that the poor beleaguered south was just trying to help its colored folks out.
Maybe then?!
It was only Grant’s very real threat to go sherman on Forrest that made him dissolve the Klan.
How many times does the difference between 'headed' and 'founded' have to be explained to you ZC?
Maybe if you tried reading the words that are written instead of substituting your own, you wouldn't have this recurring problem.
It’s interesting that I have found no other character of prominence in the Civil War besides Forrest who ever used an enemy soldier as a human shield to hasten his getaway.
Maybe if you tried reading the words that are written instead of substituting your own, you wouldn't have this recurring problem.
Wow. I oughta bookmark this post. It's the first time anyone has mistaken me for a Confederate apologist--me, whose Southern ancestors were Unionists and were targeted by the original KKK!
Nathan Beford Forrest was the Grand Wizard (I think that was the title) of the Invisible Empire of the South, organized in 1867. He ordered it disbanded in 1869.
The "Ku-Klux Klan" was founded as a lark by a few veterans in Pulaski TN in 1866. After their constumes frightened some Blacks it became the terrorist organization we think of today.
No one's ever pointed out the difference between "headed" and "founded" because everyone always says "Forrest founded the KKK." Heading and founding are two different things.
Google turns up a fair number of uses of the story.
And, who did?
Nathan Bedford Forrest did not found the Ku-Klux Klan.
And, who did?
Sigh. I get so tired of repeating this.
The "Ku-Klux Klan" was founded in Plaski TN in 1866 by a few Confederate veterans of Scottish descent (hence the "klan" part). It originally had no terrorist intentions but after ghost costumes frightened some Blacks members started using it to terrorize them.
In 1867 it was reorganized as The Invisible Empire of the South. N.B. Forrest was the head of that organization. He ordered it disbanded in 1869. But the "Ku-Klux Klan" (anyone with a sheet on) continued to operate until federal force was used against them.
Doesn't anyone here know any history?
I asked an honest question. No need for you to become so prissy.
“This ‘alleged’ Speech”?
I became "prissy" because I'd already explained this.
I’m skeptical. Especially that he spoke as quoted.
I’d sure like to something contemporary on the subject.
Everything I can find is within the last few years.
Frankly, you sound more like a plain old Klan apologist than any other kind.
Are there any more cheerful historical 'facts' you think we should know about that benevolent and much maligned civic organization?
I'm still somewhat skeptical about the story. I'd want to know more about what all the papers reported. Apparently, he did deliver some gracious and conciliatory remarks. Just exactly what he said, though, is harder to nail down. More here.
Some of the circumstances: Forrest had the diabetes that would kill him two years later, so it's just possible that he felt a little penitent. It's said that he underwent a religious conversion and joined a church in his last years.
Also, this was the tail end of Reconstruction and there was a push on to get at least some African-American support for the Democrats.
And if you were a former slave owner and slave trader and Confederate General surrounded by Black men who may have had guns with them, you might be conciliatory too.
bttt
You educated me about him a long time ago. I only knew one aspect of his biography—the cliff notes version taught in school. He was indeed interesting, and more complex than detractors would admit.
You might have looked a little harder.
See African American southerners in slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction By Claude H. Nolen, in particular, Chapter Ten, Politics and the Ku Klux Klan, in particular page 158 and 159,
...Impressively organized, the blacks paraded down Main Street to Beale Street and on to James Park, in order: a brass band of the Sons of Ham, in a wagon; 24 marshals on horseback; two bearers of batter axes, with blue swallow-tail coats and striped pants; a band dressed in Zouave, with red breeches; chaplain in black, bearing the Scriptures; Independent Order of Pole-Bearers, 250 strong, with banners, 36 girls in white, riding in a wagon drawn by four horses ....
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