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. He was one of the officers who went with me to meet the flag of
truce the last time. I do not know what became of him; that was about
the last I saw of him. I heard that he was nailed to a board and burned,
and I have very good reason for believing that was the case, although I
did not see it. The first lieutenant of company D of my regiment says
that he has an affidavit to that effect of a man who saw it.
Question. Have you any knowledge in relation to any of our men being
buried alive?
Answer. I have not, other than I have stated.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. How long had your regiment been in Fort Pillow?
Answer. We reached there the 8th of February. There were no other troops
there then, and we held the place alone for some time.
By the chairman:
Question. By whom were you ordered there?
Answer. By General W. S. Smith, chief of cavalry, and also by General
Hurlbut.
Question. What other troops were there at the time of the fight?
Answer. Four companies of the 6th United States heavy artillery,
colored, and a battery called now, I think, the 2d United States light
artillery. It was before the 1st Tennessee light artillery, colored.
Question. What was about the number of our force there?
Answer. Not far from 500 men.
Question. Do you know what became of Major Bradford?
Answer. He escaped unhurt, as far as the battle was concerned. I was
told the next morning on the boat that he had been paroled. I did not
see him after that night.
Question. Do you know why you were left unsupported, as you were, when
it was known that Forrest was in your vicinity?
Answer. I do not know why, unless it was thought that he would not
attack us. I think it was supposed that he was going to make an attack
on Memphis.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. What do you estimate Forrest's force to have been?
Answer. From all I could see and learn, I should suppose he had from
7,000 to 10,000 men.
Question. Is there anything further you desire to state?
Answer. I heard some of the rebels talking during the night after the
fight. They said we ought to have surrendered when we had the
opportunity, but that they supposed the Yankees were afraid the colored
troops would not be treated as prisoners of war; and they intimated that
they would not be; and said it was bad enough to give to the "home-made
Yankees"--meaning the Tennessee soldiers--treatment as soldiers, without
treating the negroes so, too.
On the morning of the fight there was so much hurry and confusion that
our flag was not raised for a time; we had been firing away an hour
before I happened to notice that our flag was not up. I ordered it to be
raised immediately, and our troops set up vociferous cheers, especially
the colored troops, who entered into the fight with great energy and
spirit.
Question. How many officers of your regiment were left alive?
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