Nathan Bedford Forrest was a Confederate general during the American Civil War and the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. He is considered one of the most skilled cavalry commanders in American history.
Forrest was born in Chapel Hill, Tennessee, in 1821. He grew up on a farm and had little formal education. He became a successful businessman before the war, owning several plantations and a slave trading company.
When the Civil War broke out, Forrest joined the Confederate Army and quickly rose through the ranks. He was known for his aggressive tactics and his ability to surprise his enemies. He led several successful cavalry raids behind Union lines, and he played a key role in the Battle of Shiloh.
After the war, Forrest became a leader of the Ku Klux Klan, a terrorist organization that aimed to suppress African Americans and Republicans. He was eventually forced to resign from the Klan after it became clear that he was using it to enrich himself.
Forrest died in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1877. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.