Reports of the Committee on the Conduct of the War: Fort Pillow Massacre. Returned Prisoners.United States. Congress. Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War
History
Reports of the Committee on the Conduct of the War: Fort Pillow Massacre. Returned Prisoners.
United States. Congress. Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War
Fort Pillow, Battle of, Tenn., 1864; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Answer. Yes, sir; right smart of them, in an old coal boat. I saw one
man start up the bank after he was shot in the arm, and then a fellow
knocked him back into the river with his carbine, and then shot him. I
did not go up the hill after I was shot. I laid in the water like I was
dead until night, and then I made up a fire and dried myself, and staid
there till the gunboat came along.
Question. Did they shoot you more than once?
Answer. No, sir.
* * * * *
Henry Christian, (colored,) private, company B, 6th United States heavy
artillery, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. Where were you raised?
Answer. In East Tennessee.
Question. Have you been a slave?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Where did you enlist?
Answer. At Corinth, Mississippi.
Question. Were you in the fight at Fort Pillow?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. When were you wounded?
Answer. A little before we surrendered.
Question. What happened to you afterwards?
Answer. Nothing; I got but one shot, and dug right out over the hill to
the river, and never was bothered any more.
Question. Did you see any men shot after the place was taken?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Where?
Answer. Down to the river.
Question. How many?
Answer. A good many; I don't know how many.
Question. By whom were they shot?
Answer. By secesh soldiers; secesh officers shot some up on the hill.
Question. Did you see those on the hill shot by the officers?
Answer. I saw two of them shot.
Question. What officers were they?
Answer. I don't know whether he was a lieutenant or captain.
Question. Did the men who were shot after they had surrendered have arms
in their hands?
Answer. No, sir; they threw down their arms.
Question. Did you see any shot the next morning?
Answer. I saw two shot; one was shot by an officer--he was standing,
holding the officer's horse, and when the officer came and got his horse
he shot him dead. The officer was setting fire to the houses.
Question. Do you say the man was holding the officer's horse, and when
the officer came and took his horse he shot the man down?
Answer. Yes, sir; I saw that with my own eyes; and then I made away into
the river, right off.
Question. Did you see any buried?
Answer. Yes, sir; a great many, black and white.
Question. Did you see any buried alive?
Answer. I did not see any buried alive.
* * * * *
Aaron Fentis, (colored,) company D, 6th United States heavy artillery,
sworn and examined.
By the chairman:
Question. Where were you from?
Answer. Tennessee.
Question. Have you been a slave?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Where did you enlist?
Answer. At Corinth.
Question. Who was your captain?
Answer. Captain Carron.
Question. Were you in the fight at Fort Pillow?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. What did you see done there?
Answer. I saw them shoot two white men, and two black men, after they
had surrendered.
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