PRINTER'S NO. 618
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.79
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HAYWOOD, KEARNEY, FONTANA, TARTAGLIONE,
SANTARSIERO AND COSTA, APRIL 11, 2025
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, APRIL 11, 2025
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing April 12, 2025, as the 161st anniversary of the Fort
Pillow Massacre, in honor of the fallen soldiers who lost
their lives during this battle.
WHEREAS, The Battle of Fort Pillow occurred on April 12,
1864, in Fort Pillow, Tennessee, during the American Civil War;
and
WHEREAS, Prior to the battle, the fort was being occupied by
a garrison of more than 600 Union servicemen, approximately one-
half of whom were Black soldiers; and
WHEREAS, On the morning of April 12, 1864, approximately
1,500 to 2,000 Confederate soldiers, led by General Nathan
Bedford Forrest, surrounded and attacked the fort; and
WHEREAS, By the afternoon of April 12, 1864, General Forrest
demanded surrender from the fort's troops following a 20-minute
cease fire; and
WHEREAS, The fort's commander, Union Major William Bradford,
abandoned the fort and his troops, attempting to find Union
reinforcements supposedly stationed on the Mississippi River;
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WHEREAS, A majority of the Union garrison surrendered and
thus should have been taken as prisoners of war; and
WHEREAS, Confederate and Union witness accounts state that
instead of being taken as prisoners of war, approximately 300
Union soldiers were gunned down and killed, including servicemen
who were already wounded; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 200 of the estimated 300 Union
soldiers killed were Black servicemen; and
WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States opened an
investigation into the battle, where witnesses stated that a
majority of the wounds suffered by Union soldiers targeted the
torso and head from point-blank range; and
WHEREAS, The Congressional inquiry determined that 70% of
White soldiers survived the battle, while only 35% of Black
soldiers survived; and
WHEREAS, The events that occurred during the Battle of Fort
Pillow led to the Union's refusal to participate in further
prisoner exchanges with the Confederate army; and
WHEREAS, This massacre did not deter other Black servicemen
from serving in the Union army, but instead increased their
resolve, many of whom proceeded to use "Remember Fort Pillow" as
a battle cry; and
WHEREAS, The site of the battle is well preserved and is now
the Fort Pillow State Historic Park in Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, April 12, 2025, is the 161st anniversary of the
Battle of Fort Pillow; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize April 12, 2025, as the
161st anniversary of the Fort Pillow Massacre, in honor of the
fallen soldiers who lost their lives during this battle.
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