Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-04-21
CAPTURE OF FORT Pill
LOW BY FORREST.
Massacre OF the Garrison
~ White and Black.
Four Hundred ont Of SIX Hun
dred Men Murdered in Cold
BioOd--W0men and Children
Hu1cEnered.

EVuE VHt VI Bhh 1ss.s
dred Men Murdered fn Cold
BioOd--women and Children
Butchered.
CAIRO, April 4.-On Tuesday morning,
Forrest, with some 6, 900 men, attacked Fort
Pillow. Soon after the attack, Forrest sent
flag Of truce demanding the surrender. OF
the fort and garrison, meanwhile disposlng
of his force 30 as 10 gain decided advan.
tsge. Major Booth, Of the Sth Tennessee
Csvalfy, was in cominahd with 400 of that
regiment, and 200 of the lst Battalion Of
the 9th United States heavy artillery, for
merly lst Alabama Cavalry, (colored.) Tho
flag Of truce was refused and fighting was
resumed Afterward, second flag came
in which was also refused. Both flags gave
the rebels an advantage in gaining new po-
sitions. The battle kept up I'LL 3 p NJ,
when Mai. Booth was killed and Maj. Brad.
ford took command. The rebels now came
in swarns, overpo*ering our troops. and
compelling their surrender. Immediately
upon the surrender ensued scene which
utterly battles description. Up to that
time comparatively few of our nen were
killed, but iDsatiate as fends and blood
thirsty as devils incarnate, the Confederates
commenced az indiscrminate butchery OF
whites and blacks, including those OF both
colors previously wounded. The black sol
diers becoming demoralized rushed to the
rear, the white officers having thrown down
their arms. Both white and black were
bsyoneted, shot or ssbered. Even the dead
bodies were horribly mutilated. Children
Of seven and eight years aud several negro
women were killed in cold blood. Soldiers
unable to speak from their wounds were
shot dead, and their bodies rolled down the
banks into the river The dead and wound
ed negroes were piled in huts and burned,
and several citizens who joined our forces
for protection were killed or wounded. Out
Of the garrison of 600, only 200 remained
alive. Among our dead officers are NJ al. Brad
ford, Lieuts. Barer, Ackerstom, Wilson,
Rev. Revel and Booth, all of the 18th Ten
nossee cavalry. Captain Poston, Lieuten-
ant Logan. 18th Tennessee, and Captain
Young, oath Missouri, acting Provost Mar
shal, were taken prisoners. Major Brad
ford was also captured, but is said to have
escaped. 1t is feared. however, that he has
been killed. The steamer Platte Valley
came up about half-past three and was hail
ed by the rebels under flag of truce. Men
were sent ashore to bury the dead and take
aboard such wounded as the rebels shad al
lowed to live, Fifty seven were taken aboard,
including seven or eight colored; eight died
on the way up. The steamer arrived here
this evening aud was immediately sent to
Mound City hospital to discharge her suf-
fsring Cargo. Among the wounded officers
Of coIored troops are Captain Porter, Lieu
tenant Libbers and Adjutant Lemming.
Six guns were captured by the rebels and
carried off, including two 10 pound PARROTS
and two l2-pouud howitzers. A large
amount OF stores we're destroyed or carried
away. The intention Of the rebels seemed
ed to be to evacuate tho place, and move
on toward Memphis. . ..... .t..