Part 16

I was at Fort Pillow on the Wednesday morning after the fight of Tuesday, the 12th 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 13th 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 18th day of April, 1864.

ISAAC M. TALMADGE, _Captain and District Provost Marshal_.

* * * * *

I, the undersigned, do certify that I also witnessed the same spectacle described by Mrs. Williams.

her NANCY M. x HOPPER. mark.

CAIRO, _April 18, 1864_.

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

ISAAC M. TALMADGE, _Captain and District Provost Marshal_.

A true copy.

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 12th April instant. On learning, early on the morning of the 12th 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 11 o'clock by a sharpshooter, when Major Bradford, of the 13th Tennessee regiment, took command. Major Bradford was taken prisoner, and killed near Judge Green's, some six miles from the fort, 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 fifteen 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 soldiers. Up to the time of the surrender, I don't 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 citizens. 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.

Captain Bradford, of the 13th Tennessee, was engaged with a blue signal flag in connexion with gunboat No. 7. Captain Bradford was ordered shot by General Forrest, who said "Shoot that man with the black flag." This was after the surrender. His body was literally shot to pieces. All, both black and white, fought manfully. I saw several negroes wounded, with blood running from their bodies, still engaged loading and firing cannon and muskets cheerfully. There was no giving way till fifteen hundred confederates rushed inside the fort. Most were killed outside the fort when prisoners. The fort was defended successfully for over eight hours by from 500 to 600 men against 3,500 to 4,000 barbarians. I heard confederate officers say it was the hardest contested engagement that Forrest had ever been engaged in. I heard officers say they would never recognize negroes as prisoners of war, but would kill them whenever taken. Even if they caught a negro with blue clothes on (uniform) they would kill him. Officers of negro troops were treated and murdered the same as negroes themselves.

After lying in the woods two days and nights, I was picked up by gunboat No. 7, some 5 or 6 miles below the fort.

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 barbarities I saw on that fatal day, when hundreds of loyal soldiers were murdered in cold blood.

JAS. R. BINGHAM.

Sworn before me at Cairo, Illinois, this 18th day of April, 1864.

JNO. H. MUNROE, _Assistant Adjutant General_.

A true copy.

J. H. ODLIN, _Assistant Adjutant General_.

* * * * *

CAIRO, ILLINOIS, _April 23, 1864_.

Elvis Bevel, being duly sworn, deposeth and says:

I am a citizen of Osceola, Arkansas. I was driven from my home by guerillas. I arrived at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, on the night of the 11th 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 12th 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 where I could see all that was done by the rebel and United States forces. Deponent further saith: I saw the contraband camps in flames at different points. Could see the skirmishers of the rebels. Signals were given by Captain Bradford to Captain Marshal, of the navy, commanding gunboat No. 7, to shell them from post No. 1, which is in sight of the fort, which was done by Captain Marshall. About one hour after sunrise, brisk skirmishing began. The bullets from rebel infantry caused me to move from where I was, and take position behind a large stump near the fort. About nine o'clock I moved to the rear of the fort, where I could better see the rebels who swarmed the bluff.

The rebels were here so near the gunboat that the crew under Captain Marshall had to close their ports and use their small-arms. At one o'clock p. m. the firing on both sides ceased. A flag of truce was sent from the rebel lines to demand an unconditional surrender. While the flag of truce was approaching the fort, I saw a battery of artillery moved to a better position by the rebels, and saw their sharpshooters approaching the fort from another quarter. At 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 mercy.

I left at this time, getting on the gunboat. On Thursday, the 14th 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 13th Tennessee, who surrendered, but no others.

ELVIS BEVEL.

Signed and sworn to before me this 23d day of April, A. D. 1864, at Cairo, Illinois.

C. B. SMITH, _Lieut. and A. A. A. G._

A true copy.

C. B. SMITH, _Lieut. and A. D. C._

* * * * *

_Statement of Wm. B. Walker, company D, 13th Tennessee cavalry._

I hereby certify that I was at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, on the 12th 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 d----d 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. x WALKER. mark.

Witness: WM. CLEARY, _2d Lieut. Co. B, 13th Tennessee Cavalry_.

MOUND CITY, _Illinois_, _April 23_, A. D. 1864.

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 25th day of April, 1864, at Mound City, Illinois.

WM. STANLEY, _Lieutenant and Assistant Provost Marshal_.

A true copy.

C. B. SMITH, _Lieutenant and A. D. C._

* * * * *

_Statement of Jason Lonan, company B, 13th Tennessee cavalry._

I do hereby certify that I was at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, on the twelfth (12th) of the present month, when it was attacked by the rebels under General A. B. Forrest. I was ordered into the fort at the commencement of the engagement. We kept up a continual fire on both sides until about 1 o'clock p. m., when a flag of truce was sent in, and firing ceased. While the flag of truce was being considered I saw the enemy plundering our evacuated quarters, and moving their forces up in large bodies, getting them in position. We had been driving them all the morning. They were at the same time placing their sharpshooters in the buildings we had occupied as barracks. The object of the flag of truce not having been agreed to, the firing again commenced. About one hour afterwards the enemy charged on our works in overwhelming numbers, and the negro soldiers, being panic-stricken, dropped their arms and ran down the 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 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 13th day of April, A. D. 1864, and despatch several of the colored soldiers of the 6th United States heavy artillery, who had survived their wounds received on the previous day.

his JASON + LONAN. mark.

Witness: WILLIAM CLEARY, _2d Lieut. Co. B, 13th Tenn. Vol. Cav_.

MOUND CITY, ILLINOIS, _April 23, 1864_.

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 23d day of April, 1864, at Mound City, Illinois.

WM. STANLEY, _Lieutenant and Assistant Provost Marshal_.

A true copy.

C. B. SMITH, _Lieutenant and A. D. C._

* * * * *

_Statement of Corporal Wm. P. Dickey, company B, 13th Tennessee cavalry._

I do hereby certify that I was at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, on the 12th 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 1 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 that while this was going on I plainly saw the enemy consolidating their forces and gaining positions they had been endeavoring to gain without success. At the same time their men were plundering our deserted camp, and stealing goods from the quartermaster's depot, and from the stores of the merchants of the post. They also at the same time put their sharpshooters into our deserted barracks, whence they had fair view, and were in fair range of our little garrison. The firing recommenced after the flag of truce had retired. About one hour thereafter the rebels stormed our works. They had no sooner obtained the top of our walls when the negroes ran, and the whites, obtaining no quarter, ran after them. The rebels followed closely, shooting down all who came in the way, white and black. I also certify that I was myself shot by a rebel soldier after I had surrendered, and while I had my hands up begging for mercy. I also 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 soldiers killed long after they had surrendered. I also certify that I saw the rebels throw 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 afterwards, while struggling for life.

his WM. P. + DICKEY. mark.

Witness: WM. CLEARY, _2d Lieut. Co. B, 13th Tenn. Vol. Cav_.

MOUND CITY, _April 23_, A. D. 1864.

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 23d day of April, 1864, at Mound City, Illinois.

WM. 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, 12th Tennessee cavalry volunteers._

I was in Fort Pillow on Tuesday, the 12th 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 afterwards was the rebel sharpshooters 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 sharpshooters 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 25th day of April, 1864.

WM. STANLEY, _Lieutenant and Assistant Provost Marshal_.

A true copy.

_C. B. SMITH, Lieutenant and A. D. C._

* * * * *

MOUND CITY, _April 18, 1864_.

_Statement of William F. Mays, company B, 13th Tennessee cavalry._

I was at Fort Pillow on the 12th 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 towards the fort on the bluff. They then attacked 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 hand. I ventured to ask him for a drink of water. He turned around, saying, "Yes, God damn you, I will give you a drink of water," and shot at my head three different times, covering my face up with dust, and then turned from me, no doubt thinking he had killed me, remarking, "God damn you, it's too late to pray now," then went on with his pilfering. I lay there until dark, feigning death, when a rebel officer came along, drawing his sabre and ordered me to get up, threatening to run his sabre into me if I did not, saying I had to march ten miles that night. I succeeded in getting up and got among a small squad he had already gathered up, but stole away from them during the night, and got among the dead, feigning death for fear of being murdered. The next morning the gunboat came up and commenced shelling them out, when I crawled out from among the dead, and with a piece of paper motioning to the boat, she came up and I crawled on board.

his WM. F. + MAYS. mark.

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 27th day of April, 1864.

WM. STANLEY, _Lieutenant and Assistant Provost Marshal_.

A true copy.

C. B. SMITH, _Lieutenant and A. D. C._

* * * * *

_Official statement of facts connected with the attack, defence, and surrender of the United States military post at Union City, Tennessee, on the 24th of March, 1864._

CAIRO, ILLINOIS, _April 4, 1864_.

On the 23d of March it was generally understood at the said post that at least a portion of the rebel General Forrest's command were advancing on us. At about eight o'clock p. m. of that day the advance of the enemy were seen and fired upon, near Jacksonville, six miles from Union City, by a small scouting party sent in that direction from our post. This party reported the facts immediately to Colonel Hawkins, of the 7th Tennessee cavalry, who was commander of the post.

The picket guard was then doubled, and two or three companies were ordered to keep their horses saddled during the night.