In 1861, Confederate forces built Fort Pillow on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River a few miles west of here to help maintain control of the strategically vital river, naming it for Confederate Gen. Gideon J. Pillow. The fort was abandoned the next year as Federal forces advanced along the river, but by 1864 it was occupied by a Union garrison of white units, U.S. Colored Troops, and a black artillery battery. On April 12, 1864, Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry attacked and overwhelmed the defenders after ten hours of fighting. Half of the garrison was killed, including two-thirds of the black troops. Survivors later reported Confederate atrocities, especially the killing of men after they had surrendered, while Forrest claimed the unusually high death toll resulted from men resuming the fight after laying down their arms. Outrage in the North led to a Congressional investigation, inspired more black men to enlist, helped equalize service pay and pensions for black and white troops, and strengthened Union resolve, while debate over exactly what occurred at Fort Pillow continues to this day.