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Collection Reference Number GLC05620
From Archive Folder Unassociated Civil War Documents 1864 
Title Abraham Lincoln to John P. Usher regarding the Battle of Fort Pillow
Date 3 May 1864
Author Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865)  
Document Type Correspondence
Content Description Discussing the Battle of Fort Pillow, Tennessee, President Lincoln informs Usher, Secretary of the Interior, "it is now quite certain that a large number of our colored soldiers, with their white officers, were, by the rebel force, massacred after they had surrendered ... " Requests Usher's counsel regarding the government's course of action following the Fort Pillow events. The letter was also sent to the rest of the cabinet, including Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles (see GLC07698). Signed by Lincoln. Written on Executive Mansion stationery.
Subjects Battle of Fort Pillow (Fort Pillow Massacre)  Fortification  President  Civil War  Military History  Union Forces  Lincoln's Cabinet  Battle  Battle of Fort Pillow (Fort Pillow Massacre)  African American Troops  African American History  Confederate States of America  Death  Atrocity  Massacre  Prisoner of War  Surrender  Government and Civics  
People Lincoln, Abraham (1809-1865)  
Place written Washington, D.C.
Theme The American Civil War; African Americans
Sub-collection Papers and Images of the American Civil War
Additional Information The battle of Fort Pillow occurred on 12 April 1864. It is estimated that 560 Union troops fought 1,500-2,000 Confederate soldiers in the Battle of Fort Pillow, Tennessee. Most of the Union soldiers killed at Fort Pillow, both during and after the battle, were African American. Much historical controversy exists regarding the historical facts of the Battle of Fort Pillow. All cabinet members agreed that the Confederate government should be called on to avow or disavow the massacre. John Usher, Secretary of the Interior from 1863-1865, advised no retaliation against innocent Confederate hostages, but advised that orders be issued to commanders to execute the actual offenders if captured.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
Related documents Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles discussing the Battle of Fort Pillow  
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