Description

The winners of wars get to write the history and did write out, Slaves were given the chance to join Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry when he formed it in Memphis, promising them freedom if the South lost and freedom if the South won.

Depending on whose historian you read, either 43 or 45 slaves enlisted with Forrest. Twenty were said to have taken up arms and fought alongside Forrest in battle, notably at the historic Battle of Fort Pillow. About 25 worked as teamsters and cared for the horses. All the black people who enlisted with Forrest remained with him throughout the war, with the exception of one deserter.