I 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4868 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource 
study of Fort Pillow Historic State Park in Henning, Tennessee, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 19, 2018 
Mr. RUSH introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 
special resource study of Fort Pillow Historic State Park 
in Henning, Tennessee, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Fort Pillow National 
Battlefield Park Study Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds as follows: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:01 Jan 21, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4868.IH
H4868
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(1) Fort Pillow was built by Confederate troops 
in 1861 and named after General Gideon J. Pillow 
of Maury County. 
(2) In 1862, the area was abandoned due to the 
Union Navy advancement along the Mississippi 
River. 
(3) The Fort was attacked and captured by the 
Union Navy, which mostly controlled it during the 
war. 
(4) On June 4, 1862, Confederate troops evacu-
ated Fort Pillow, enabling Union troops to take 
Memphis, Tennessee. 
(5) On April 12, 1864, the Battle of Fort Pil-
low was fought at Fort Pillow on the Mississippi 
River in Henning, Tennessee, during the American 
Civil War. 
(6) The Confederate troops defeated the Union 
Navy, resulting in the death of 229 of the 262 black 
Union soldiers engaged in the battle. 
(7) In 1971, Fort Pillow became a State park. 
(8) In 1973, Fort Pillow was designated as a 
Historic Park. 
(9) Fort Pillow Historic State Park consists of 
1,642 acres. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:01 Jan 21, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4868.IH
H4868
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(10) It preserves the American Civil War site of 
the Battle of Fort Pillow. 
(11) The park contains several attraction areas 
such as a Civil War museum, hiking trail, camping 
ground, and picnic area. 
SEC. 3. FORT PILLOW SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY. 
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of the Interior (referred 
to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall conduct a spe-
cial resource study of Fort Pillow Historic State Park in 
Henning, Tennessee. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall— 
(1) evaluate the national significance of the 
site; 
(2) determine the suitability and feasibility of 
designating the site as a unit of the National Park 
System; and 
(3) consider other alternatives for preservation, 
protection, and interpretation of the lands by Fed-
eral, State, or local governmental entities, or private 
and nonprofit organizations. 
(c) APPLICABLE LAW.—The study authorized under 
subsection (a) shall be conducted in accordance with sec-
tion 100507 of title 54, United States Code. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:01 Jan 21, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4868.IH
H4868
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
on which funds are first made available for the study 
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate a report that describes— 
(1) the findings of the study; and 
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the 
Secretary. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:01 Jan 21, 2018
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H4868.IH
H4868
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with BILLS