ceeded in making their escape unhurt, nothing definite is known, and it is to be feared that many have been murdered after being taken away from the fort. When your committee arrived at Memphis, Tennessee, they found and examined a man (Mr. McLogan) who had been conscripted by some of Forrest's forces, but who, with other conscripts, had succeeded in making his escape. He testifies that while two companies of rebel troops, with Major Bradford and many other prisoners, were on their march from Brownsville and Jackson, Tennessee, Major Bradford was taken by five rebels, one an officer, led about fifty yards from the line of march, and deliberately murdered in view of all those assembled. He fell, killed instantly by three musket balls, and while asking that his life might be spared, as he had fought them manfully, and was deserving of a better fate. The motive for the murder of Major Bradford seems to have been the simple fact that, although a native of the South, he remained loyal to his Government. On the other side is the following statement by Lieut.-Gen. S. D. Lee, who was in command of the Confederate department. It is part of a letter on the subject, dated June 28th:

As commanding officer of this department, I desire to make the following statement concerning the capture of Fort Pillow a statement supported in a great measure by the evidence of one of your own officers captured at that place. The version given by you and your Government is untrue, and not sustained by the facts to the extent that you indicate. The garrison was summoned in the usual manner, and its commanding officer assumed the responsibility of refusing to surrender, after having been informed by Gen. Forrest of his ability to take the fort, and of his fears as to what the result would be in case the demand was not complied with. The assault was made under a heavy fire and with considerable loss to the attacking party. Your colors were never lowered and your garrison never surrendered, but retreated under cover of a gunboat, with arms in their hands and constantly using them. This was true particularly of your colored troops, who had been firmly convinced by your teachings of the certainty of slaughter in case of capture. Even under these circumstances many of your men-white and blackwere taken prisoners. I respectfully refer you to history for numerous cases of indiscriminate slaughter after successful assault, even under less aggravated circumstances. It is generally conceded by all military precedent that where the issue had been fairly presented and the ability displayed, fearful results are expected to follow a refusal to surrender. The case under consideration is almost an extreme one. You had a servile race armed against their masters, and in a country which had been desolated by almost unprecedented outrages.

I assert that our officers, with all the circumstances against them, endeavored to prevent the effusion of blood; and as an evidence of this, I refer you to the fact that both white and colored prisoners were taken, and are now in our hands. As regards the battle of Tishimingo Creek, the statements of your negro witnesses are not to be relied on. In their panic they acted as might have been expected from their previous impressions. I do not think many of them were killed-they are yet wandering over the country, attempting to return to their masters. With reference to the status of those captured at Tishimingo Creek and Fort Pillow, I will state that, unless otherwise ordered by my government, they will not be regarded as prisoners of war, but will be retained and humanely treated, subject to such future instructions as may be indicated.

Your letter contains many implied threats; these, of course, you can make, and you are fully entitled to any satisfaction that you may feel from having

made them.

It is my intention, and that also of my subordinate

officers, to conduct this war upon civilized principles, provided you permit us to do so; and I take this occasion to state that we will not shirk from any responsibility that your actions may force upon us. We are engaged in a struggle for the protection of our homes and firesides, for the maintenance of our national existence and liberty; we have counted the cost, and are prepared to go to any extremes; and though it is far from our wish to fight under a black flag, still, if you drive us to it, we will accept the issue. Your troops virtually fought under it at the battle of Tishimingo Creek, and the prisoners taken there state that they went into battle under the impression that they would receive no quarter, and, I suppose, with the determination to give none.

I will further remark, that if it is raised, so far as your soldiers are concerned, there can be no distinction, for the unfortunate people whom you pretend to be aiding are not considered entirely responsible for their acts, influenced, as they are, by the superior intellect of their white brothers. I enclose for your affair, which were procured from the writer after the consideration certain papers touching the Fort Pillow exaggerated statements of your press were seen. I am, general, yours, respectfully,

S. D. LEE, Lieutenant-General.

Forrest and Chalmers "both entered the fort The report of the enemy stated that Gens. from opposite sides, simultaneously, and an indiscriminate slaughter followed. One hundred prisoners were taken and the balance slain. The fort ran with blood. Many jumped into the river and were drowned, or shot in the water. Over $100,000 worth of stores were taken, and six guns captured. The Confederate loss was seventy-five. Lieut.-Col. Reed, of the 5th Mississippi, was mortally wounded."

A party of the enemy on the capture of Fort Pillow made an advance against Columbus, Gen. Buford being in command of their force. On the 13th he sent the following summons to the commander of the fort:

HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY,
BEFORE COLUMBUS, KY., April 13, 1864.

To the Commander of the United States forces, Columbus, Ky:

Fully capable of taking Columbus and its garrison by force, I desire to avoid shedding blood. I therefore demand the unconditional surrender of the forces under your command. Should you surrender, the negroes now in arms will be returned to their masters. Should I be compelled to take the place by force, no quarters will be shown negro troops whatever; white troops will be treated as prisoners of war. I am, sir, yours,

A. BUFORD, Brig.-Gen.

This demand was refused, and Gen. Buford retired without making an attack. At the same time an excitement arose at Paducah, under apprehension of another attack of the enemy. The entire forces, however, retired to Bolivar, Trenton, and Grand Junction. Some further military operations in this part of the country, chiefly of a partisan nature, took place. Some active operations took place in North Carolina. The important ports on the sounds, as Newbern, Washington, Plymouth, &c., had been held since their capture by the forces under Gen. Burnside. On the 1st of February, a force of the enemy under Gen. Picket, consisting of Gen. Hoke's brigade, with a part of Gens. Corse's and Clingman's, made an assault

on the Federal outpost at Bachelor's Creek, eight miles from Newbern, and captured it with seventy-five prisoners. They then advanced toward Newbern, where an attack was greatly feared. Before daylight on the next morning a party in barges captured the gunboat Underwriter, with her officers and a portion of her crew. The steamer was aground, but so lay as to cover a portion of the fortifications between Fort Anderson and Fort Stevens, at Newbern. Gen. Picket thus reported his expedition:

To Gen. S. Cooper:

KINSTON, February 3, 1864.

I made a reconnoissance within a mile and a half of Newbern, with Hoke's brigade, and a part of Corse's and Clingman's, and some artillery; met the enemy in force at Batchelor's Creek, killed and wounded about one hundred in all, captured thirteen officers and two hundred and eighty prisoners, fourteen negroes, two rifled pieces and caissons, three hundred stand of small arms, four ambulan ces, three wagons, fifty-five animals, a quantity of clothing, camp, and garrison equipage, and two flags. Commander Wood, Confederate States navy, captured and destroyed the United States gunboat Underwriter. Our loss thirty-five killed and wound

ed.

G. E. PICKET,

Major-General Commanding.

The next movement of importance made by the enemy was the capture of Plymouth. This town is on the south bank of the Roanoke River, about eight miles from its mouth. The river flows in an easterly direction into Albemarle Sound. The town originally contained about one thousand inhabitants, but was burned by the Union fleet two years previously. It had been held for some time as a key to the river, and had been strongly fortified. A breastwork with strong forts at different points along the line, had been constructed. Another strong work, called Fort Gray, had also been constructed about a mile further up the river, opposite which a triple row of piles had been driven, to which torpedoes were attached, to serve as a protection to the fleet below. The enemy had a powerful iron-clad ram in the river above. Still further up there was another row of piles with torpedoes, near which a picket boat was stationed to watch the iron-clad. The Federal gunboats Southfield and Miami were anchored in the river opposite the town. The garrison of the town was about twentyfour hundred men, under command of Gen. Wessels. They composed the 85th New York infantry regiment, 101st Pennsylvania infantry regiment, 103d Pennsylvania infantry regiment, 16th Connecticut infantry regiment, two companies of the Massachusetts heavy artillery, two companies of the 2d North Carolina volunteers, two companies of the 12th New York cavalry.

The approach of the enemy was unknown, until they began to appear about 3 P. M., April 17th, in the rear of the town, driving in the Union pickets. A brisk artillery fire was soon opened upon Fort Gray, which continued with some vigor until near midnight. About daylight on the next morning the contest was renewed,

and two charges were made during the forenoon, which were repulsed. In the afternoon, two guns of the enemy were captured by a sortie from the fort. The gunboats then took a position, one above and the other below the town, and the contest continued fiercely until night, when it ceased without any advantage to the enemy. Early the next morning the picket boat up the river reported that the ironclad had passed down. The gunboats were immediately lashed together, to make a joint resistance to the iron-clad. This had scarcely been done when she appeared within a hundred yards. As they approached each other, the gunboats fired without effect. The ram first struck the Miami, and gliding off struck the Southfield on her left side, crushing in six shell at the iron-clad, which rebounded and or eight feet square. The Miami now fired a killed her captain, Flusser, and wounded eight persons. Becoming separated from the Southfield, the Miami was swung round by the current, and unable for a time to render further assistance. The Southfield was now rapidly sinking, and her crew took to the boats and fled. The Miami, after her loss, withdrew. The iron-clad, called the Albemarle, under command of J. W. Coke, came down to the mouth of the river, outside of which were four gunboats. Her position in the river cut off all hopes of sending reenforcements to Gen. Wessels, and he surrendered to Brig.-Gen. Hoke on the next day. This surrender was thus announced by Gen. Peck, in command of the department:

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY AND DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA, NEWBERN, N. C., April 21, 1864. General Orders No. 66:

With feelings of the deepest sorrow the commanding general announces the fall of Plymouth, N.C., and the capture of its gallant commander, Brig.-Gen. H. W. Wessels, and his command. This result, however, did not obtain until after the most gallant and determined resistance had been made. Five times the enemy stormed the lines of the general, and as many times were they repulsed with great slaughter; clad ram, and the floating sharpshooter battery, the and but for the powerful assistance of the rebel ironCotton Plant, Plymouth would still have been in our hands. For their noble defence the gallant Gen. Wessels and his brave band have, and deserve the warmest thinks of the whole country, while all will sympathize with them in their misfortune.

To the officers and men of the navy the commanding general tenders his thanks for their hearty cooperation with the army, and the bravery, determination, and courage that marked their part of the unequal contest. With sorrow he records the death of the noble sailor and gallant patriot, Lieut.-Com. C. W. Flusser, U. S. Navy, who in the heat of battle fell dead on the deck of his ship, with the lanyard of his gun in his hand.

The commanding general believes that these misthe army of North Carolina to equal deeds of bravefortunes will tend, not to discourage, but to nerve ry and gallantry hereafter.

Until further orders, the headquarters of the subdistrict of the Albemarle will be at Roanoke Island.

The command devolves upon Col. D. W. Wardrop, of the 99th New York infantry.

By command of Maj.-Gen. JOHN G. PECK.
J. A. JUDSON, Ass't Adj't-Gen.

Gen. Hoke thus reported his capture of the position:

PLYMOUTH, N. C., April 20, 1864.

To Gen. Braxton Bragg : I have stormed and carried this place, capturing one brigadier, sixteen hundred men, stores, and twenty-five pieces of artillery. R. F. HOKE, Brig.-Gen.

Only two places on the main land were now held by the Federal forces. These were Washington, on the Tar River, and Newbern, at the mouth of the Neuse. Washington was evacuated in the latter part of April, and burned. The following order of Gen. Palmer was issued for the purpose of detecting the incendiaries: HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF N. C., NEWBERN, N. C., May 3, 1864.

}

General Orders No. 5. While the troops of this command may exult and take just pride in their many victories over the enemy, yet a portion of them have, within a few days, been guilty of an outrage against humanity which brings the blush of shame to the cheek of every true man and soldier.

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The commanding general had, until this time, believed it impossible that any troops in his command could have committed so disgraceful an act as this, which now blackens the fame of the Army of North Carolina. He finds, however, that he was sadly mistaken, and that the ranks are disgraced by men who are not soldiers, but thieves and scoundrels, dead to all sense of honor and humanity, for whom no pun. ishment can be too severe.

The commanding general is well aware what troops were in the town of Washington when the flames first appeared. He knows what troops last left the place. He knows that in the ranks of only two of the regiments in the district of North Carolina the culprits now stand. To save the reputation of the command, it is hoped that the guilty parties may be ferreted out by the officers who were in Washington at the time of these occurrences.

This order will be read at the head of every regiment and detachment in this command, at dress parade, on the day succeeding its receipt, and at the head of the 17th Massachusetts volunteers and the 15th Connecticut volunteers, at dress parade, every day for ten consecutive days, or until the guilty parties are found. By command of Brig.-Gen. I. N. PALMER. J. A. JUDSON, Ass't Adj't.-Gen.

IN Virginia, a few desultory operations took place previous to the commencement of the great campaign of the year. On the 3d of January a supply train, consisting of two hundred animals, was captured by the enemy on its return from Petersburg, in West Virginia, to New Creek. A few of the men and animals escaped. The enemy, being in considerable force, now made several demonstrations for the purpose of reaching the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, but were unsuccessful. On January 28th, a train from New Creek to Petersburg, laden with commissary stores for the garrison at the latter place, was attacked three miles south of Williamsport, and, after a sharp contest, captured by the enemy. The losses in this region in horses, wagons, stores &c., to Feb. 1st, was estimated at two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

The headquarters of Gen. Meade, in command of the Army of the Potomac, was near Culpepper Court House. This position was occupied by that army from December, 1863, until May, 1864. The army of Gen. Lee, on the south side of the Rapidan, confronted it. A few reconnoissances were made, but without important results. A cavalry expedition into the neighborhood of Richmond was the most active movement at this period of the year. It commenced with the advance of the 8th corps, under Gen. Sedgwick, from Madison Court House, on Feb. 27th. A division under Gen. Birney followed on the next day. Madison Court House

was occupied by a brigade of infantry, with a small force of cavalry, but the main force was encamped along the heights of Robertson's River. From this position pickets were sent out to the right and left. Gen. Birney's force oceupied James City, a small village west of Culpepper. Meanwhile a cavalry force under Gen. Custer pushed forward by way of Madison Court House, in the direction of Charlottesville, the junction of the Alexandria with the Lynchburg Railroad. About the same time, in the afternoon of the 28th, Gen. Kilpatrick, with his division of cavalry and a portion of Gens. Merritt's and Gregg's divisions, with a light battery of six guns, being nearly eight thousand men, left Stevensburg for the lower fords of the Rapidan, intending to make a dash upon Richmond. This force crossed at Germania and Ely's fords, distant about sixty miles from Richmond. The command encamped on that night eight miles south of the Rapidan.

The headquarters of Gen. Lee were at Orange Court House, and the movements of the infantry with the command of Gen. Custer, tow ard Charlottesville, threatened to turn his left, and thus serve as a diversion in favor of the advance of Gen. Kilpatrick. Early on the morning of the 28th (Monday), Gen. Custer pushed forward across the Rapidan, and passing through Stannardsville arrived within four miles of Charlottesville. Here a body of cav alry under Col. Caskie were encountered. Six caissons, some camp equipage, and a few

prisoners were captured, when the enemy rallied in force, and Gen. Custer fell back toward Ravenna River. Finding that the force of the enemy was considerable, the original intertion of destroying the railway bridge and stores at Charlottesville was abandoned, and after burning three mills and a saddle factory the Ravenna was crossed, and the bridge burned. It now began to rain and freeze, and the night became exceedingly dark. Gen. Steadman's brigade being in advance, reached Madison Court House soon after daylight in the morning. Gen. Custer, however, was delayed by the difficulty of crossing streams with his artillery in the extreme darkness. Thus the enemy intercepted him near Stannardsville. By means of his artillery Gen. Custer held them in check until he could fall back upon a by-road, and thus avoid them. Madison Court House was reached at dusk on the 29th, with a number of horses and prisoners captured, and without the loss of a man.

In the meanwhile Gen. Kilpatrick resumed his advance on the next morning, to Frederick's Hall, on the Virginia Central Railroad. Here the track was torn up for some distance, and several officers of the enemy captured, and the carriages of several pieces of artillery destroyed. Col. Dahlgren was here detached with a portion of the force, and moved toward the James River Canal, and Gen. Kilpatrick advanced toward Ashland, on the railroad, twenty miles above Richmond. Here he rested on Monday night, and tore up a portion of the railroad track. Early the next morning he moved towards Richmond, on the Brooks' turnpike, and reached within six miles of that city. There he was met by a portion of the engineer troops and a few sections of light artillery, by which his advance was checked. A contest with artillery ensued for two hours, when Gen. Kilpatrick withdrew in the direction of Mechanicsville, burning the trestle work of the railroad accross the Chickahominy on his route.

The detachment under Col. Dahlgren penetrated as far as the farm of James A. Seddon, Confederate Secretary of War, and burned his barn and stables, and the flour and saw mills in the vicinity. On the canal a number of freight and other boats were destroyed, and a lock cut. A large number of horses were also seized. The ignorance or evil intention of their negro guide had misled the command, so that it was unable to join Gen. Kilpatrick at Ashland, and aid in the attack on Richmond, where it was supposed the enemy had few troops. It was afternoon, however, before he reached the vicinity of Richmond, advancing by the Westham or river road. As he approached nearer he was confronted on every road by superior numbers, and obliged to fall back.

He then attempted to reach the Peninsula through King's and Queen's county, where he encountered on the next day the 9th Virginia, Lieut.-Col. Pollard, and a sharp skirmish ensued. Col. Dahlgren was killed, and about

sixty of his men captured. The remainder of the command, and the force of Gen. Kilpatrick, who had been obliged to move during the night by the pressure of the enemy, met a cavalry force sent out by Gen. Butler, from Williamsburg, near Tunstell's station on the York River railroad, and retired down the Peninsula. Their loss was about one hundred and fifty men killed and wounded, besides Col. Dahlgren. A number of prisoners were captured. The newspaper press at Richmond subsequently published the following address and orders, and asserted that they were found in the pocket of Col. Dahlgren. His connection with them has been denied, in the most positive manner, by the friends of Col. Dahlgren:

HEADQUARTERS, THIRD DIVISION. Į
CAVALRY CORPS, 1864.

gades and regiments as a picked command to attempt Officers and Men-You have been selected from bria desperate undertaking-an undertaking which, if successful, will write your names on the hearts of your countrymen in letters that can never be erased, and which will cause the prayers of our fellow you and yours wherever you may go. soldiers now confined in loathsome prisons to follow We hope to release the prisoners from Belle Isle first, and, having seen them fairly started, we will cross the James River into Richmond, destroy the bridges after us, burn the hateful city, will not allow the rebel leader and, exhorting the released prisoners to destroy and Davis and his traitorous crew to escape. The prisners must render great assistance, as you cannot leave your ranks too far, or become too much scattered, or lead you off, which would only bring you to an ignoyou will be lost. Do not allow any personal gain to minious death at the hands of citizens. Keep well together and obey orders strictly, and all will be well; but on no account scatter too far, for in union there is strength. With strict obedience to orders and fearlessness in their execution you will be sure to succeed. We will join the main force on the other side of the city, or perhaps meet them inside. Many of you may fall; but if there is any man here not willing to sacrifice his life in such a great and glorious undertaking, or who does not feel capable of meeting the enemy in such a desperate fight as will follow, let him step out, and he may go hence to the arms of his sweetheart, and read of the braves who swept through the city of Richmond. We want no man who cannot feel sure of success in such a stand up to it when it does come, and all will be well holy cause. We will have a desperate fight; but Ask the blessing of the Almighty, and do not fear the enemy. U. DAHLGREN, Colonel Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS.

Guides and pioneers, with oakum, turpentine, and torpedoes, signal officer, quartermasters, commissaries, scouts and pickets, and men in rebel uniforms these will remain on the north bank and move down with the force on the south bank, not get ahead of them, and if the communication can be kept up without giving an alarm, it must be done; but every thing depends upon a surprise, and no one must be allowed to pass ahead of the column. Information must be gathered in regard to the crossings of the side, we will know where to recross at the nearest river, so that, should we be repulsed on the south point.

All mills must be burned and the canal destroyed,

and also every thing which can be used by the rebels Should a ferry boat be seized which can be worked, must be destroyed, including the boats on the river. have it moved down. Keep the force on the south side posted of any important movement of the enemy,