Throughout American history there have been multiple defining moments and multiple defining figures. Probably one of the largest is the American Civil War and the struggle of the Confederate States of America over slavery. Confederate Army Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford Forrest has been and still is a strong negative influence on most Americans while others consider him a hero. His influence mainly came during the American Civil War when he won many key battles such as the Battle of Fort Pillow and the Battle of _______________, leaving a more lasting impression on America by founding the Ku Klux Klan or the KKK. Fort Pillow took place in Lauderdale County, Tennessee on April 12, 1864 at the Union fort called Fort Pillow. The Confederates previously controlled the fort but, due to the encroaching Union army, had to abandon the fort for fear of being detached by the Confederate army. In March of that year, Nathan Bedford Forrest launched a cavalry raid into Kentucky and western Tennessee. During this month-long cavalry raid, Forrest and his squadron had lost many supplies and horses, "There is a Federal force of 500 or 600 men at Fort Pillow, which I will deal with in a day or two, as they have horses and supplies that we need", in this quote we see that the initial cause of his attack is closely linked to supplies. This is proof that Forrest did not go to Fort Pillow looking for a massacre. The Union was at a disadvantage during this battle even though the battle was brought against them. They were heavily outnumbered with only 500-600 soldiers compared to the Confederates who had 1500-2500 soldiers. Forrest was also interested in taking the Yankees prisoner, so he ordered Captain Charles... halfway down the page... that children would be expected to become casualties. Klan member Catherine Dee Adams stated, "I hate to be like this, but if it has to be..." (implying that if children were to die it was okay and had to be done for the cause). This is not just an isolated case, acts of prejudice and racism have continued under the name of the Ku Klux KlanWorks CitedWikimedia Foundation. "Battle of Fort Pillow." Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Pillow#cite_ref-Eicher657_1-0 (accessed 28 April 2014).Wikimedia Foundation. “Ku Klux Klan.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan#First_KKK (accessed April 27, 2014). "Ku Klux Klan - Extremism in America." Ku Klux Klan: Extremism in America. http://archive.adl.org/learn/ext_us/kkk/crime.html?LEARN_SubCat=Extremism_in_America&xpicked=4&item=kkk (accessed April 28, 2014).