Chapter 12

The Phalanx acquiring a Reputation--No Blacks Paroled--Gen. Grant's Letter to the Confederate General Taylor--Jefferson Davis' Proclamation respecting Negro Soldiers--Mr. Davis' Third Annual Message--Action of the Confederate Congress--Negro Soldiers Captured by the Confederates receive Punishment--Retaliation by the Federal Government--Refusal to Exchange captured Negro Troops--Order from President Lincoln in relation thereto--Report of the Congressional Committee in regard to Barbarities Inflicted upon captured Union Prisoners--Report of the Congressional Committee in regard to the Fort Pillow Massacre--Testimony given--Sketches of Prison Life--Schemes for Escaping from Confederate Prisons--Life in Libby Prison--The Effect of the Fort Pillow Massacre on the Black Soldiers--Their Desire to Retaliate--Correspondence between Gens. Forrest and Washburn--A Confederate Account, written in 1883--A Confederate Account of Price's Cross-Roads--Heavy Fighting--Gallant Conduct of the Federal Cavalry--The Rout of the Federal Force--The Phalanx Saves the White Troops from Capture--Gen. Sturgis Criticised 315