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Nathan Bedford Forrest: Topics in Chronicling America

Nathan Bedford Forrest was a Confederate general and one of the most controversial figures from the Civil War era. This guide provides access to materials related to “Nathan Forrest” in the Chronicling America digital collection of historic newspapers.

Introduction

"Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest." September 21, 1899. Phillipsburg Herald (Phillipsburg, KS), Image 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.

Nathan Bedford Forrest was a Confederate general widely portrayed by the Southern press as the Civil War’s most daring and cunning cavalryman. With no formal military training, Forrest quickly rose from the ranks of private to lieutenant general. Following the war, he served as the Ku Klux Klan’s first grand wizard, but later called for the organization’s disbandment. Read more about it!

The information in this guide focuses on primary source materials found in the digitized historic newspapers from the digital collection Chronicling America.

The timeline below highlights important dates related to this topic and a section of this guide provides some suggested search strategies for further research in the collection.

Timeline

May 16, 1905 Thousands attend unveiling of General Forrest bronze statue.
October. 5, 1906 Memphis plans tribute to Forrest’s Cavalry.
October 28, 1906 Newspaper link Forrest to the KKK.
January 9, 1908 Forrest plans to disband the KKK.