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were followed closely and fiercely by the advancing rebel forces, their fire never ceasing at all. Our men had given signals themselves that they surrendered, many of them throwing up their hands to show they were unarmed and submit ted to overwhelming odds.

dry-goods clerk for Messrs. Harris and Company. passed down the hill. It is stated that at this Went into the fight at six o'clock on the morn- time Major Bradford put a white handkerchief ing of Tuesday, the twelfth of April. Remained on his sword-point and waved it in token of suboutside of the Federal fortifications until about mission; but it was not heeded if he did. half-past eight A.M., acting as a sharp-shooter. At this time we were all ordered within the Fort. Lieutenant Barr was killed outside the Fort, also Lieutenant Wilson, the latter of the Thirteenth Tennessee cavalry. It was not long after nine o'clock that I took my position behind the fortifications and resumed the fight. I was standing not more than ten paces from Major Booth when he fell, struck in the heart by a musket-bullet. It was but a few minutes past nine. He did not die immediately, but was borne from the field. At this time there was continued firing on both sides. Rebels were not using artillery; our troops were.

I was about half-way down the hill, partially secreted in a kind of ravine with Dr. Fitch, when I saw two men, white men, belonging to the Thirteenth Tennessee cavalry, standing behind a stump on which they had fixed a white handkerchief, their hands thrown up. They asked for quarter. When they stood on their feet they were exposed, and I saw them shot down by rebel soldiers and killed. A captain of the rebel troops then came where we were and ordered all the Federals, white and black, to move up the hill, or he would "shoot their God damn brains out." I started up the hill with a number of others, in accordance with the order. I was sur

The next thing I recollect is a flag of truce coming in, the bearers of which-General Forrest of the rebel army, and some parties of his staff-demanded a surrender of the garrison. Major Bradford was then in command. Forrest did not come within the breastworks, but remained some fifty yards outside, and Major Brad-rendered with our men. While going up I saw ford went out to meet him. They conferred in a south-easterly direction from what was known as "old headquarters." Bradford is said to have replied that he would not surrender. Forrest told him that if he did not there would not be any quarter shown. They were in conference about fifteen minutes, during which time there was a cessation of firing. Bradford asked for, one hour's time in which to confer with the commander of the gunboat. Forrest refused it; but I think there was a pause in actual hostilities of nearly that length of time. The rebels were busily engaged in plundering our hastily deserted encampment outside the fortifications, as well as robbing some of the stores below the hill. They were also massing their troops and placing them in eligible positions while the flag of truce was being considered. It is my opinion that they could never have gained the positions had they not done so under that flag of truce. They had already consumed seven or eight hours in attempting it with no success.

At about half-past two in the afternoon a large force of infantry came upon us from the ravine toward the east of where I stood. It seemed to come down Cold Creek. They charged upon our ranks. Another large force of rebel cavalry charged from the south of east, and another force from the northward. They mounted the breastworks at the first charge where I stood. We fired upon them while upon the breastworks. I remember firing two shots while the enemy were upon the walls. The negro troops, frightened by the appearance of such numbers, and knowing they could no longer resist, made a break and ran down the hill, surrendering their arms as the rebels came down on our side of the fortifications. When we found there was no quarter to be shown, and that, white and black, we were to be butchered, we also gave up our arms and

white men fall on both sides of me who were
shot down by rebel soldiers who were stationed
upon the brow of the hill. We were at the time
marching directly toward the men who fired upon
us. I do not know how many fell, but I remember
to have seen four killed in this way.
I also saw
negroes shot down with pistols in the hands of
re'ls, One was killed at my side.
I saw
another negro struck on the head with a sabre
by a rebel soldier; I suppose he was also killed.
One more, just in front of me, was knocked down
with the butt of a musket. We kept on up the
hill. I expected each moment to meet my fate
with the rest. At the top of the hill I met a
man named Cutler, a citizen of Fort Pillow. He
spoke to a rebel captain about me, and we then
went, under orders from the captain, to one of
the stores under the hill, where the captain got
a pair of boots. This was about four P.M. on
Tuesday. The captain and Cutler and myself
then left to find General McCullough's head-
quarters, where we were to report and be dis-
posed of. The captain introduced me to a lieu-
tenant and to a surgeon of the rebel army. The
surgeon made me show him where goods could
be found. The lieutenant got a saddle and bridle
and some bits, and then we helped them to carry
them to where their horses were outside of the
fortifications. I also met Mr. Wedlin, a citizen,
and he accompanied us. He helped the lieuten-
ant to mount and pack his goods, and then he
gave Wedlin and myself permission to depart,
and instructed us as to the best means of es-
cape.

I am positive that up to the time of the surrender there had not been more than fifty men (black and white) killed and wounded on the Union side. Of these, but about twenty had been among the killed. The balance of all killed and wounded on our side were killed and

wounded after we had given undoubted evidence I, the undersigned, do certify that I also wit of a surrender, and contrary to all rules of war-nessed the same spectacle described by Mrs fare. H. N. REVELLE. Williams.

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A true copy.

Lieutenant and A. D. C.

Statement of Ann Jane Rufin.

I am the wife of Thomas Rufin, a member of the Thirteenth Tennessee cavalry; was at Fort Pillow on Tuesday, the twelfth day of April, A.D. 1864, and was removed to an island during the progress of the battle. Returned to Fort Pillow on Wednesday morning, the thirteenth of April, and saw the remains of a man lying upon the back, its arms outstretched, with some planks under it. The man had to all appearances been nailed to the side of the house, and then the building set on fire. I am satisfied that the body was that of Lieutenant John C. Akerstrom, Second Lieutenant company A, Thirteenth Tennessee cavalry, who was on duty as Quartermaster of the post of Fort Pillow. I was well acquainted with Lieutenant Akerstrom when living. After examining the body I walked around to a ditch where a large number of dead and wounded had been thrown and partially covered. I saw several places where the wounded had dug holes and attempted to get out, but had been unable to do so.

her

ANN JANE X RUFIN.
mark.

CAIRO, April 18, 1864.

mark. CAIRO, April 18, 1864. before me this

ISAAC M. TALMADGE, Captain and District Provost-Marshal. C. B. SMITH,

Lieutenant and A. D. C.

James R. Brigham, a resident of Fredonia, Chautauque County, New-York, deposes and says:

He was and had been a clerk in a store at Fort Pillow over a year previous to the twelfth April instant. On learning, early on the morning of the twelfth instant, that the post was to be attacked by the confederates, he went immediately to the Fort, and was engaged with a musket in defending the Fort, when General Chalmers was repulsed twice. After this, I was detailed to carry wounded down the hill, on which the Fort was situated, to the river bank, where, beside a large log, I raised a red flag as a sign of a hospital. The flag was made from part of a red flannel shirt. The last attack was made by General Forrest in person, who headed the column. Forrest was wounded in three (3) different places, and had his horse shot under him.

Major Booth, of the regular army, was in command. He was killed about eleven o'clock by a sharp-shooter, when Major Bradford, of the Thirteenth Tennessee regiment, took command. Major Bradford was taken prisoner, and killed

Subscribed and sworn to before me this near Judge Green's, some six miles from the Fort, eighteenth day of April, 1864.

A true copy.

ISAAC M. TALMADGE,
Captain and District Provost-Marshal

C. B. SMITH,

Lieutenant and A. D. C.

Statement of Mrs. Rebecca Williams.

I am the wife of William F. Williams, a private in the Thirteenth Tennessee cavalry, company D.

while a prisoner.

When the confederates rushed into the Fort having taken advantage of a flag of truce to get their men close to the Fort in a ravine, and directly under the embankments, this force numbered some one thousand five hundred, with a large reserve in sight. As soon as the confederates got into the Fort, the Federals threw down their arms in token of surrender, and many exclaimed: "We surrender." Immediately an indiscriminate massacre commenced on both black and white solI was at Fort Pillow on the Wednesday morn-diers. Up to the time of the surrender, I don't ing after the fight of Tuesday, the twelfth of April, 1864, and saw the body of a man, which had the appearance of having been burned to death. It was pointed out to me as the body of Lieutenant John C. Akerstrom, of the Thirteenth Tennessee cavalry. I know it was the corpse of a white man.

her

REBECCA X WILLIAMS.

mark,

CAIRO, April 18, 1864. Subscribed and sworn to before me this eighteenth day of April, 1864.

ISAAC M. TALMADGE,
Captain and District Provost-Marshal.

think more than from twenty to twenty-five had been killed, and not more than fifteen wounded. I was taken prisoner, and when marching with other prisoners, black and white, I saw the confederates shoot and kill and wound both white and black Federal prisoners. Some negroes were severely beaten, but still able to go along. We were taken a few miles into the country, when myself and a few others got relieved by General McCullough, on the ground of being private cit izens. I saw General Forrest, and knew he was wounded, as before stated. There were from twenty-five to thirty black soldiers carried off as prisoners, and not over thirty to thirty-five white. All the rest of that faithful and heroic garrison,

some five or six hundred in number, were killed or wounded in action, or murdered or wounded after the surrender. I saw officers as well as privates kill and wound prisoners, and heard them say, while held a prisoner with them in the country, that they intended taking the prisoners still further into the country, and make an example of them.

at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, on the night of the eleventh of April, 1864. I was at Fort Pillow during the engagement between the rebel forces under Forrest and Chalmers, and the United States garrison at that place, on the twelfth of April instant, 1864. About sun-up, the alarm of rebels being in the Fort was received at Major Booth's headquarters. I took a position Captain Bradford, of the Thirteenth Tennessee, where I could see all that was done by the rebel was engaged with a blue signal-flag in connection and United States forces. Deponent further with gunboat Number Seven. Captain Bradford saith: I saw the contraband camps in flames at was ordered shot by General Forrest, who said: different points. Could see the skirmishers of ."Shoot that man with the black flag." This was the rebels. Signals were given by Captain Bradafter the surrender. His body was literally shot to ford to Captain Marshall, of the navy, commandpieces. All, both black and white, fought manful- ing gunboat Number Seven, to shell them from ly. I saw several negroes wounded, with blood post Number One, which is in sight of the Fort, running from their bodies, still engaged loading which was done by Captain Marshall. About one and firing cannon and muskets cheerfully. There hour after sunrise, brisk skirmishing began. was no giving way till one thousand five hun- The bullets from rebel infantry caused me to dred confederates rushed inside the Fort. Most move from where I was, and take position bewere killed outside the Fort when prisoners. The hind a large stump near the Fort. About nine Fort was defended successfully for over eight o'clock I moved to the rear of the Fort, where I hours by from five hundred to six hundred men could better see the rebels who swarmed the against three thousand five hundred to four thou-bluff.

After lying in the woods two days and nights, I was picked up by gunboat Number Seven, some five or six miles below the Fort.

A

At

sand barbarians. I heard confederate officers The rebels were here so near the gunboat that say it was the hardest contested engagement that the crew under Captain Marshall had to close Forrest had ever been engaged in. I heard their ports, and use their small-arms. At one officers say they would never recognize negroes o'clock P.M. the firing on both sides ceased. as prisoners of war, but would kill them when-flag of truce was sent from the rebel lines to deever taken. Even if they caught a negro with mand an unconditional surrender. While the blue clothes on, (uniform,) they would kill him. flag of truce was approaching the Fort, I saw a Officers of negro troops were treated and mur- battery of artillery moved to a better position dered the same as negroes themselves. by the rebels, and saw their sharp-shooters approaching the Fort from another quarter. two o'clock the fight began again; about fifteen or twenty minutes after I saw a charge made by about two thousand on the breastworks and near it on the bluff. Sharp fighting took place inside the Fort of about five minutes' duration. I saw their bayonets and swords. I saw the Union soldiers, black and white, slaughtered while asking for quarter; heard their screams for quarter, to which the rebels paid no attention. About one hundred left the Fort, and ran down the bank of the bluff to the river, pursued by the rebels, who surrounded them; in about twenty minutes, every one of them, as far as I could see, were shot down by the rebels without

On my return to the Fort, I saw and recognized the remains of Lieutenant Akerstrom; he had been nailed to a house, and supposed burned alive.

There were the remains of two negroes lying where the house burned. I was told they were nailed to the floor. I also found a negro partially buried, with his head out of the ground, alive. I went for assistance and water for him; when I returned he was so near dead that no assistance could save him. We sat by him till he died.

I can recount but a small part of the barbar-mercy. ities I saw on that fatal day, when hundreds of loyal soldiers were murdered in cold blood.

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I left at this time, getting on the gunboat. On Thursday, the fourteenth of April, I met Captain Farris, of Forrest's command, about six miles from Fort Pillow, at Plum Point; his soldiers said they were hunting for negroes. I asked him if they took any prisoners at Fort Pillow. He said they took some of the Thirteenth Tennessee, who surrendered, but no others. ELVIS BEVEL.

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Statement of William B. Walker, company D,

Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry.

I hereby certify that I was at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, on the twelfth day of the present month, when it was attacked by the confederates. I saw nothing more than has probably been related by a dozen others, until about the time of the panic and the retreat down the bluff by both white and black Union troops. We were followed closely by the rebels, and shot down, after surrender, as fast as they could find us. One of the rebels, after I had given him up my money as he had ordered me, fired upon me twice, after I had surrendered, and while I begged for my life. One ball struck me in the left eye. The rebels had almost ceased firing upon us, when an officer came down and told them to "shoot the last damned one of us," and "not to take one prisoner." He said it was the order of the General, (I could not hear the name plainly, but I think it was Chalmers.) Then the slaughter of the prisoners was resumed. I saw some six white and ten colored soldiers thus shot, long after they had surrendered, and while the negroes were on their knees, begging to be spared.

his

WILLIAM B. × WALKER.

mark.

Witness: WILLIAM CLEARY,
Second Lieutenant Company B, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry.

MOUND CITY, Illinois, April 23, A.D. 1864.

Sworn and subscribed to before me this twenty-fifth day of April, 1864, at Mound City, Illinois. WILLIAM STANLEY,

A true copy.

Lieutenant and Assistant Provost-Marshal.

C. B. SMITH,

Lieutenant and A.D.C.

Statement of Jason Lonan, company B, Thir

teenth Tennessee Cavalry.

that I was myself shot after I had surrendered, and while I had my hands up, and was imploring them to show me mercy. They also shot Sergeant Gwalthney, of my company, while he was within ten feet of me, after he had given up his revolver, and while he had his hands up crying out for mercy. They took his own revolver and shot him with its contents twice through the head, killing him instantly. I also certify that I saw the rebels shoot, in all, six men who had surrendered, and who had their hands up asking quarter. I further certify that I saw the rebels come about on the ensuing morning, the thirteenth day of April, A.D. 1864, and despatch several of the colored soldiers of the Sixth United States heavy artillery, who had survived their wounds received on the previous, day.

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Statement of Corporal William P. Dickey, com

pany B, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry. I do hereby certify that I was at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, on the twelfth day of April, A.D. 1864, when that place was attacked by the rebel General Forrest. I went into the Fort at the commencement of the action. We kept up a continuous fire upon both sides until about one o'clock P.M., when a flag of truce was sent in by the rebels, and while it was being considered, the firing was ordered to cease. I also certify I do hereby certify that I was at Fort Pillow, that while this was going on, I plainly saw the Tennessee, on the twelfth (12th) of the present enemy consolidating their forces and gaining pomonth, when it was attacked by the rebels under sitions they had been endeavoring to gain withGeneral A. B. Forrest. I was ordered into the out success. At the same time their men were Fort at the commencement of the engagement. plundering our deserted camp, and stealing goods We kept up a continual fire on both sides until from the Quartermaster's dépôt, and from the about one o'clock P.M., when a flag of truce was stores of the merchants of the post. They also, sent in, and firing ceased. While the flag of at the same time, put their sharp-shooters into truce was being considered, I saw the enemy our deserted barracks, whence they had fair plundering our evacuated quarters, and moving view, and were in fair range of our little garrison. their forces up in large bodies, getting them in The firing recommenced after the flag of truce position. We had been driving them all the had retired. About one hour thereafter the rebmorning. They were at the same time placing els stormed our works. They had no sooner their sharp-shooters in the buildings we had oc- obtained the top of our walls when the negroes cupied as barracks. The object of the flag of ran, and the whites, obtaining no quarter, ran truce not having been agreed to, the firing again after them. The rebels followed closely, shootcommenced. About one hour afterward the ing down all who came in the way, white and enemy charged on our works in overwhelming black. I also certify that I was myself shot by numbers, and the negro soldiers, being panic-a rebel soldier after I had surrendered, and while stricken, dropped their arms, and ran down the I had my hands up begging for mercy. I also bluff. The whites also, when they found there was to be no quarter shown, also ran down the bluff. The rebels ran after us, shooting all they came to, both black and white. I also certify

certify that I saw the rebels shoot down ten men, white soldiers, within ten paces of me, while they had their hands up supplicating quarter. I also certify that I saw twelve negro

MOUND CITY, April 18, 1864.

Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry.

soldiers killed long after they had surrendered. I also certify that I saw the rebels throw Statement of William F. Mays, Company B, several negroes into the river while they were begging for life. One rebel came to me and took my percussion-caps, saying he had been killing negroes so fast that his own had been exhausted. He added that he was going to shoot some more. I also certify that I saw negroes thrown into the river by rebels, and shot afterward, while struggling for life.

his

WILLIAM P. x DICKEY.

Witness: WILLIAM CLEARY,

mark.

I was at Fort Pillow on the twelfth of April, 1864, and engaged in the fight there. The pickets were driven in about six o'clock A.M., when skirmishers were thrown out to ascertain the position and number of the enemy. The contraband camp was then discovered to be on fire, and the firing of small arms was heard in the same direction. The skirmishing lasted about one hour, when our skirmishers were gradually drawn back

Second Lieutenant Company B, Thirteenth Tennessee Vol. Cav. toward the Fort on the bluff. They then attack

MOUND CITY, April 28, A.D. 1864.
Sworn and subscribed to before me this
twenty-third day of April, 1864, at Mound City,
Illinois.
WILLIAM STANLEY,
Lieutenant and Assistant Provost-Marshal.

A true copy.

C. B. SMITH,

Lieutenant and A.D.C.

MOUND CITY, April 25, 1864.

Statement of Sergeant William A. Winn, Company B, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry Volun

teers.

I was in Fort Pillow on Tuesday, the twelfth of April, 1864, when the attack was made by General Forrest upon that place. At the firing of the first gun I hastened on board the gunboat, as I had been wounded some time before, and could not fight. The first thing I saw afterward was the rebel sharp-shooters on the top of the hill, and ours at quartermaster's department, firing at each other, and the rebels were also firing at the gunboat. The next thing I saw was a flag of truce come in, which was in waiting some half an hour. This was about one o'clock P.M., and as soon as it started back, the enemy immediately started up the hill on the double-quick, not waiting for the flag of truce to return. As soon as they came close to the Fort, and had their sharp-shooters distributed through our barracks, (which were just outside the Fort,) they opened fire upon the garrison, and then charged the works. Those troops which I saw came from the direction that the flag of truce did. I saw our men run down the bluff, the rebels after them, shooting them down as fast as they came up with them. I saw twelve or fifteen men shot down after they had surrendered, with their hands up begging for mercy. Next I saw them turn their cannon on us, (the boat,) and throw several shells at the boat, trying to sink her, but she steamed up the river, out of range, leaving behind us a scene of cold-blooded murder too cruel and barbarous for the human mind to express. W. A. WINN. Sworn and subscribed to before me this twenty-fifth day of April, 1864.

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ed the Fort. Two assaults were made by them, and both repulsed. This was about eleven or twelve o'clock A.M., when a flag of truce was sent in, demanding a surrender. While the flag was being received and the firing suspended, the enemy were moving their forces into position, and occupied one position which they had been fighting to obtain all day, but had not been able to gain, except under the protection of a flag of truce. It was from this position they made their heaviest assault, it being impossible to bring our artillery to bear upon them.

Question. Do you believe they could have taken the Fort or that particular position, had they not done so under cover of the flag of truce?

Answer. I do not. They had been kept from it for six hours.

Question. What further took place? Go on with your statement.

Answer. In about five minutes after the disappearance of the flag of truce, a general assault was made upon our works from every direction. They were kept at bay for some time, when the negroes gave way upon the left, and ran down the bluff, leaving an opening through which the rebels entered, and immediately commenced an indiscriminate slaughter of both white and black. We all threw down our arms, and gave tokens of surrender, asking for quarter. (I was wounded in the right shoulder and muscle of the back, and knocked down before I threw down my gun.) But no quarter was given. Voices were heard upon all sides, crying: "Give them no quarter; kill them; kill them; it is General Forrest's orders." I saw four white men and at least twenty-five negroes shot while begging for mercy; and I saw one negro dragged from a hollow log within ten feet of where I lay, and as one rebel held him by the foot another shot him. These were all soldiers. There were also two negro women and three little children standing within twenty-five steps from me, when a rebel stepped up to them and said, "Yes, God damn you, you thought you were free, did you?" and shot them all. They all fell but one child, when he knocked it in the head with the breech of his gun. They then disappeared in the direction of the landing, following up the fugitives, firing at them wherever seen. They came back in about three quarters of an hour, shooting and robbing the dead of their money and clothes. I saw a man with a canteen upon him, and a pistol in his

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