Stephen A. Hurlbut

Steven Augustus Hurlbut (1815–1882), was a politician, diplomat, and commander of the U.S. Army of the Gulf in the American Civil War. A lawyer by trade, Hurlbut was born in South Carolina, but served the Union. After the war, he served as ambassador in Columbia, a U.S. House Representative from 1873 to 1876, and ambassador to Peru until his death.

In 1864, Hurlbut became concerned about Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest's designs on Fort Pillow. He decided to send two regiments of Colored troops to reinforce the post, much to the initial chagrin of the white soldiers stationed there.