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Nathan Bedford Forrest Was Not A Founder of the KKK

Risky Thicket

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Yesterday I saw it mentioned in a thread and I meant to respond. However, it was off topic and the response would have been even more so.

The Forrest/KKK thing is an often repeated myth. Forrest was not, however, a founder of the KKK. In fact, he disbanded it! In response to a request for his leadership Forrest joined the KKK in 1867, 18 months after the KKK was founded. Forrest did become the Grand Dragon, but as Grand Dragon he dissolved the KKK in 1869.

Forrest was no saint, but in the context of the times few were.
 
Why this is in military and not history, I have no idea.

And while most readily admit he was not the founder, there is no question that he was one of the founding members, and held high position inside the clan within a year of it's founding.

To me, this is more or less like saying that Hitler is not to blame for what the NAZI party did, because he did not found the organization.
 
Why this is in military and not history, I have no idea.

And while most readily admit he was not the founder, there is no question that he was one of the founding members, and held high position inside the clan within a year of it's founding.

To me, this is more or less like saying that Hitler is not to blame for what the NAZI party did, because he did not found the organization.

It is in Military because Forrest is known for his military genius. If he had been a hat maker we'd never have heard of him. He was asked to join the KKK because of his unquestionable military leadership and organizational skills and because he was a former Southern general. He was not one of the founding members.
 
Why this is in military and not history, I have no idea.

And while most readily admit he was not the founder, there is no question that he was one of the founding members, and held high position inside the clan within a year of it's founding.

To me, this is more or less like saying that Hitler is not to blame for what the NAZI party did, because he did not found the organization.

Hitler killed the cat that did found it, thereby shouldering the blame. Hitler sure as hell didn't distance himself from the National Socialists.
Riskey did a fine job of putting things intohistorical perspective.
 
Why this is in military and not history, I have no idea.

And while most readily admit he was not the founder, there is no question that he was one of the founding members, and held high position inside the clan within a year of it's founding.

To me, this is more or less like saying that Hitler is not to blame for what the NAZI party did, because he did not found the organization.

Said Forrest:

I took forty-seven Negroes into the army with me, and forty-five of them were surrendered with me. I
told these boys that this war was about slavery, and if we lose, you will be made free. If we win the
fight and you stay with me you will be made free. Either way you will be freed. These boys stayed
with me, drove my teams, and better confederates did not live”. They were protecting their
homeland.

As for General Forrest's battle record, it cannot be denied or downplayed. After his surrender, when asked by a
Union Officer who he thought his greatest general was, General Robert E. Lee replied, "Sir, a gentleman
I have never had the pleasure to meet, General Nathan Bedford Forrest."

Shelby Foote noted historian of the 3-volume
"Civil War: A Narrative" held that there were two authentic
geniuses to emerge from the Civil War
President Abraham Lincoln & Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest.

NB Forrest: Never commanded more than 5000 cavalry, but kept 50,000 Yankees busy chasing him.
 
I don't like the KKK but Grand Dragon is such a cool title.
 
What was the purpose of hiding under Pillow Sheets and Working the Night-Shift?

Dragons don't hide and sneak around in the dark.
 
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