Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-04-20
IMPORTANT FROM THE WEST.

Forrest Captures Fort Pillow Massacre of
4OO Union Prisoners Whites and Blacks
Butchered Indisoriminately y-Pluek and
Valor of Union Soldiers, etc
The intelligence received at Cairo, April,
l4th, furnishes another sad chapter In he
history of this war. It appears that on
tuesday morning, Forrest, with some men,
attacked Fort Pillow. Soon after the at
tack, Forrest sent flag of truce, demand
ing the surrender of the fort and garrison.
meanwhile dsposing his force so as to gain
advantage. Major Booth, of the 18th Ten
nessee Cavalry, was in command of the fort.
with tour hunered Of that regiment. and two
hundred of the lst battalion of the 9th u
nited States Heavy Artillery, formerly the
lst Alabama Cavalry (colored). The flag
of truce was refused, and the fighting was
resumed. Afterwards Il second flag came
in, which was also refused. Both flags
gave the rebels advantages IN gaining new
positions. The battle was kept up until
three o clock p. N. when Maj. Booth being
killed, Mag. Bradford took command.
The rebels, who now came in swarms, over
powered our troops, compelling their sur
render. Immediately upon the surrender
ensued scene which utterly battles descrip-
ton. Up TO that time comparatively few
OF our men were killed but insatiate as
tlends, 5iood-thlrsty as devils incarnate, the
Contederates commenced iaoliScrfn,tRtate
bntcheIy Of ,C]tites and blacks inciudiag
those Of both cOtOrS previously lc0lmded The
black soldiers, becoming demoralized rush
ed to the rear OF the white officers. They
having thrown down their arms both white
and black We're bay0netted, shot or sabred
Even dead bodies were horribly mutilated,
and children seven and eight years of age,
and Spvarai l-;llol
cold blood Soldiers unable to speak from
wounds were shot dead and their bodies roll
led down banks into the river. Dead and
wounded negroes were piled in heaps and
burned, and several citizens who Joined our
forces for protection were killed or wounded
Out OF the garrison of 600, only 200 re-
manned alive. Among our dead officers are
Captain bradford, Ieutenants Barr, Ack-
erstrom, Wilson, Reval and Major Booth, all
OF the 18th Tennessee cavalry. Captain
PoSton,. Lieut.. Lyon Of the 18th fenneS-
see, and Captain Young, of the 9th Mis-
souri,, acting provost marshal, were taken
prisoners. Major Bradford also was captur-
ed but he is said to have escaped. 1t is
feared, however, that he has been killed
Ihe steamer Platte Valley came up about
half past three and was hailed by the rebels
under flag of truce. Men were sent ashore
10 Dury the dead and take aboard such
wounded as the rebels had allowed to live.
Fifty-seven were taken on board, including
seven or eight colored. Eight died on the
way up. The steamer arrived here this
evening and was Immediately sent TO the
Mound City Hospital to discharge her suf-
tering cargo Among the wounded officers
ofcolored troops are Captain Porter, and
Lieutenants Sibbarts and Lemming. Six
guns were captured by the rebels and car
rled off, including two IO-pounder Parrots
aud two twelve-pounder howitzerS. 4 large
amount of stores was destroyed or carried a.
way. The intention of the rebels seemed to
be to evacuate the place, and move on tow
ards Memphis.