How did the Fort Pillow Massacre affect African American Union soldiers?

The Fort Pillow Massacre, in which Confederate troops under Nathan Bedford Forrest killed nearly 200 African American Union soldiers—many of whom were attempting to surrender—had a profound impact on Black troops serving in the American Civil War.12

Rather than demoralizing them, the atrocity served to harden the resolve of African American soldiers. The event became a powerful rallying point for those fighting for their freedom, and the phrase "Remember Fort Pillow!" was adopted as a defiant battle cry among Black Union troops.12