1864 Military Investigation of Fort Pillow, Tennessee, has been found.

My family immigrated to the United States in the 1850's from East Prussia. During World War I my grandfather left for Canada, where my father was born. After the war, they returned to the United States where I was born. 

In the late 1980's and early 1990's I was in Africa. Here, in Africa, I lived with a family whose husband had served as the Secretary of Education. He was like an older brother to me and I respected him. This wonderful man gave me the name "Ndilei". It is a name that he said describes me, and I am proud to be known by that name. The "N" is silent, and when pronounced, the name sounds like "Delay". The word means "cool heart". Not easly vexed, but cool, meaning, "calm" and "restrained" under evil,

A historical researcher, with no political agenda.

In the fall of 1990, a friend told me that his oldest grandmother was born a slave in 1841 and died in 1959, at the age of 118. After the Civil War she remained in a town not far from Fort Pillow. Another member of his family served as a valet to a General that rode with General Forrest. The secrets held in trust by a family that was loyal to the Confederacy, is what made me a researcher.

Did research at the National Archives, U.S. Army Military History Institute, the Tennessee State Library and Archives, and 6 Universities.

Made over 26 field trips to towns and cities to examine court records, and information at local libraries and historical societies.

There are 4 reasons why I wrote: 

• Love of truth. 

• An obligation. People have the right to know the truth. 

• The discovery of the missing 1864 military investigation of Fort Pillow, Tennessee.

• This forced a decision. To withhold what was discovered would be a great injustice. Should I participate in the coverup? No! I do not want to be linked with people like that.