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. I am a first lieutenant and adjutant of the 13th Tennessee
cavalry. A short time previous to the fight I was post adjutant at Fort
Pillow, and during most of the engagement I was acting as post adjutant.
After Major Booth was killed, Major Bradford was in command. The pickets
were driven in just before sunrise, which was the first intimation we
had that the enemy were approaching. I repaired to the fort, and found
that Major Booth was shelling the rebels as they came up towards the
outer intrenchments. They kept up a steady fire by sharpshooters behind
trees, and logs, and high knolls. The major thought at one time they
were planting some artillery, or looking for places to plant it. They
began to draw nearer and nearer, up to the time our men were all drawn
into the fort. Two companies of the 13th Tennessee cavalry were ordered
out as sharpshooters, but were finally ordered in. We were pressed on
all sides.
I think Major Booth fell not later than 9 o'clock. His adjutant, who was
then acting post adjutant, fell near the same time. Major Bradford then
took the command, and I acted as post adjutant. Previous to this, Major
Booth had ordered some buildings in front of the fort to be destroyed,
as the enemy's sharpshooters were endeavoring to get possession of them.
There were four rows of buildings, but only the row nearest the fort was
destroyed; the sharpshooters gained possession of the others before they
could be destroyed. The fight continued, one almost unceasing fire all
the time, until about three o'clock. They threw some shells, but they
did not do much damage with their shells.
I think it was about three o'clock that a flag of truce approached. I
went out, accompanied by Captain Young, the provost marshal of the post.
There was another officer, I think, but I do not recollect now
particularly who it was, and some four mounted men. The rebels announced
that they had a communication from General Forrest. One of their
officers there, I think, from his dress, was a colonel. I received the
communication, and they said they would wait for an answer. As near as I
remember, the communication was as follows:
"HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE CAVALRY,
"_Near Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864_.
"As your gallant defence of the fort has entitled you to the treatment
of brave men, (or something to that effect,) I now demand an
unconditional surrender of your force, at the same time assuring you
that they will be treated as prisoners of war. I have received a fresh
supply of ammunition, and can easily take your position.
"N. B. FORREST.
"Major L. F. BOOTH,
"_Commanding United States Forces_."
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