The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-06-14
FoRr PILIow, MEMrnIs, &c.

Fort Pillow was evacuated on Tuesday
of last week, all but about forty men who
were left behind to keep up a show and
70 destroy the works. They opened a
fierce bombardment apparently on nothing
on Wednesday evening. and soon after
fired everything combustible about the
fort, and decamped. Our feet, now salts
fed the Fort was veacuated, moved down
on Thursday morning and took possession,
finding about a dozen of spiked guns,
which the enemy had evidently only left
because they were found too heavy con
veniently to move. Col Fetch went ashore
with his Indiana regiments and took
formal possession, while the gunboats, at
noon, Thursday, started down the river,
reaching Fort Randolph at evening, find
ing which deserted, they tied up for the
night. On Friday morning they dropped
down to Memphis, where the naval fight
took place, of which the details are given
i'll another column.
After the battle, Com. Davis sent a
flag of truce ashore, when tho following
correspondence took place:
&c. s. FLAG STEAMER Brxrox,1
"Oyr MEMPHIS. June o, 1862. !
"SIH-l have respectfully to request
that you will surrender the city of Mem.
phis TO the authority of the United States,
which haye the honor to represent.
81 am, Dir. Mayor. with high respect,
your obi serv't, &C II. DAVIS,
Flag ofncer Commanding, etc.
" Ts hi. Homo. the Mayor Of the City Of Memphis"
"MAYoRs OFFICE, MEMrH!s.l
June 6, 1862.
sc. II. Davis, Flag officer Commanding. etc:
SlR-Iour note Of this date is received
and contents noted. In reply, have only
| no means Of defence, by force of circuln.
stances the city is in your hands.
Respectfully,
"Jxc. PARK, Mayor"
Immediately after, boats crew landed
and the national flag was hoisted over
the post Office The party was followed
by an excited crown, but was not molested
Col Fitch, with the 43d and 10th Ind
regiments, who had closely followed the
fleet down the river in transports, next
landed, and formally took command of
the city.
Besides the gunboats captured in the
fight, FIVE large steamers were found
moored at the levee, which were seized
Several steamers have also been captured
since, that had tried to hide by running
up creeks and sloushs.
Col. Fitch acts as commandant of the
city, Che is Graham A. Fitch, late U. S
Senator from Indiana) and Capt Gould
has been appointed Provost Marshal-
Martial law has not been declared, and
the mayor, recorder, &c, perform their
functions as usual.
The people seem to submit quietly, and
assist the military in preserving order
About 1000 of the more violent sec sssion
citizens have left The great alarm is
from secession gangs hanging around out
side the city, who threaten to burn it.
Vast amounts of cotton have been burned
by these, who scour the country in all
directions and destroy whatever cotton
they can lay their hands upon. No cot
ton of any account was found in Memphis,
nor sugar or molasses, although it is said
largo amounts lie concealed, which will
come to light as soon as it is deemed SAFE
The rebel loss in the naval fight was
about 100 killed and drowned, so wound.
ed and 1855 prisoners. The Federal fleet
did not lose a man.
The policy adopted by Col Fitch in
reference to negroes is brief and conpre
hensive. All belonging to the city or to
the fleet arc enrolled and . descriptive
list filed in his office; all others are ex-
cluded from the lines.