Nathan bedford forrest Essay Example

In 1865, his group was the last to surrender. Post-war, Forrest returned to Mississippi with a goal of restoring his plantation.

Another powerful individual with a fiery temper was Nathan Bedford who grew angry at events in the South. Particularly disturbed by northern carpetbaggers taking control, he formed a club called Klan on Christmas Eve of 1865 along with six penniless Confederate soldiers. The purpose was to bring joy and amusement through masquerade costumes made from items found in their linen closets due to financial limitations. They dressed themselves up with sheets and pillowcases on their heads and bodies while also outfitting their horses similarly.Riding around at night and performing foolish acts, the Klan inadvertently caused fear among newly freed Black community members who mistakenly believed they were supernatural beings. This created apprehension among these individuals about their newfound freedom. Initially seen as a joke by the Black community, the Klan's actions became increasingly violent as more members joined. One of their main goals was to prevent ex-slaves from voting in elections. In May 1866, Forrest learned about the influential Ku Klux Klan movement originating in Pulaski, Tennessee. Intrigued, he went to Nashville seeking advice from Captain John Morton, his former Chief of Artillery during the war. During this meeting with Capt. John Morton, Nathan Bedford Forrest officially joined the Klan. Afterwards, a gathering was held to choose a more impactful name for the group: "Ku Klux Klan, the Invisible Empire." After much discussion, Forrest was appointed as the first and most powerful Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. He amassed a significant following of 100,000 Klansmen throughout the former Confederacy and led them for

several years as both membership and violence escalated. Concerned by these developments, Forrest eventually distanced himself from the Ku Klux Klan and focused on accumulating wealth at his residence where he later became President of Marion Railroad Company.
On October 29th, 1877, he died from diabetes.