re: #118 Gus 802

OK, Governor McDonnell wants some “Confederate History” I say let him have it:

The black troops, however, faced greater peril than white troops when captured by the Confederate Army. In 1863 the Confederate Congress threatened to punish severely officers of black troops and to enslave black soldiers.

As a result, President Lincoln issued General Order 233, threatening reprisal on Confederate prisoners of war (POWs) for any mistreatment of black troops. Although the threat generally restrained the Confederates, black captives were typically treated more harshly than white captives.

In perhaps the most heinous known example of abuse, Confederate soldiers shot to death black Union soldiers captured at the Fort Pillow, TN, engagement of 1864. Confederate General Nathan B. Forrest witnessed the massacre and did nothing to stop it.

There’s the legacy of the Confederates.

[Link: www.archives.gov…]

Forrest was the best cavalry commander of the war, and by far the most ruthless. If he’d had his way, he likely would never have taken any prisoners in his raids. He was found of say “War means fightin’, and fightin’ means killin’!.”