FORREST, Nathan Bedford (1821-1877). Autograph Letter Signed. Marion, Ala., May 18th 1871. Addressed: ?Col. W. R. Hunt, Memphis Tenn." On four 4to pages on lined stationery of the ?Marion & Selma, Memphis Railroad Company, Office of the Treasurer, N. B. Forrest, Pres't". Text on rectos only. Each page approximately 10 x 8". Some toning, each leaf with two horizontal creases, some occasional edgewear or chipping, some minor occasional smearing of text. Fine. In this letter, Forrest attempts to settle a dispute with Hunt (Hunt (1839-1921) was the superintendent of the Selma, AL arsenal during the Civil War), which seems to be somewhat heated. Forrest was one of the most prominent slave traders of the South, and he served the Confederacy as a general during numerous battles, including Shiloh, Chickamauga, the Second Battle of Memphis, and more. He also conducted the bloody Fort Pillow Massacre, slaughtering white and black troops in large numbers, all of whom were surrendering. For this atrocity, Forrest is considered to be a war criminal. After the war, Forrest became one of the earliest leaders of the Ku Klux Klan, becoming a Grand Wizard (this term was coined because one of Forrest's wartime nicknames was ?Wizard of the Saddle"). Although Forrest publicly denied any connection with the KKK, he led terror campaigns against black and Republican voters during the presidential campaign of 1868, working against his former opponent, Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885). These tactics backfired, as Grant used them against his opponents to win the election. Longer autograph letters signed by Forrest are uncommon. From the renowned personal collection of Dr. George D. Lacy.Measurements: 11"L x 9"W x 1"H.