Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-05-26

ces could not. return the fire without en-
dangering the lives of the women and
children. The Rebels also placed women
in front Of their lines as they moved on
the fort, Or were proceeding to take posi-
tons, while the fag-of-truce was at the
fort, in order to compel our men to with
hold their fire out of regard for the wo-
men, who were made use of in this most
cowardly manner,
For more full details Of the attack and
treacherous and cowardly practices of the
Rebels there your Committee refer to the
testimony herewith submitted. On the
18th of April, the day after the capture
of Fort Pillow the Rebel General Buford
appeared before Columbus, KY, and de-
manded its unconditional surrender. He
coupled with that demand threat, that
if the place was not surrendered, and he
should be compelled to attack it, no quar-
ter whatever should be shown to the ne
gro troops. To this Colonel Lawrence
replied that a surrender was out of the
question, as he had been placed there by
his Government to hold and defend the
place and should do Sc. No attack was
made, but the enemy retired, having
taken advantage of the flag of-truce to
take some horses of Union citizens, which
had been brought in there for security.
1t was at Fort Pillow, however, that
the brutality and cruelty of the rebel.
were most fearfully exhibited. The gar
rison there, according to the last returns
received at headquarters, amounted to
19 officers and 53S enlisted men, of whom,
262 men we're colored troops, comprising
one battalion of the 9th United States
Heavy Artillery, formerly the First Ala.
bama Artillery of Colored Troops, under
the command Of Major L. +. Booth: one
section of the Second United States Light
Artillery (colored, and one battalion of
the 18th Tennessee Cavalry (white !
commanded by Major w. F. Bradford. -
Major Booth was the ranking officer
and was in command of the fort.
On Monday, the 18th of April. the
anniversary Of the attack of Fort Sumter
in 1861, the pickets of the garrison were
driven in lust before sunrise. that beino
the first in.imation our forces then had
of any intention ON the mart of the enemy
to attack that place. Fighting soon be.
came general. and about 8 o'clock Major
Bradford succeeded to the command anc
withdrew all the forces within the fort
They had previously occupied some en-.
trcnchments at some defiance from the
fort, and further from the river. This
fort was situated on high bluff, which
descended precipitately to the river,
edge. the ridge of the bluff on the rive,
side being covered with trees. bushe,
and fallen timber.
Extending back from the river, on eitbe,
side of the fort, was a rayine or hollow
the one below the fort containing several
private stores and some dwellings, con
stituting what was called the town. AT
the mouth of that rayinc, and on the riv-
er bank, were some Government buildings
containing commissary stores. The ra-
vine above the fort was known as Cold
Bunk Rayine, the ridge being covered
with trees and bushes to the right or be-
low, and little to the front of the fort
was A level piece of ground, not quite
so elevated as the fortitself, on which had
been erected some LOG huts or shanties
which were occupiefby the white troons
and also used for hosnital and other mr.
noses Within the fort tents had been
erected with board floors. for the use of
the colored troops. There were six pieces
of artillery in the fort, consisting Of
two six-poupders. two twelye-pounders
howitzers, and two ten-pounder PARROTS
The Rebels continued their attack, but
up to two or three o'clock in the after
noon they had not gained any decisive
success. Our troops both white and
black, fought most bravely and were in
good spirits. The gunbcat No 7. Mew
Era, CAPTAIN Marshall. took part in the
conflict, shellinp the enemy as opportu-
nity offered. Signal had been agreed
upon by which the officers in the fort
could Indicate where the guns Of the boat
could be most effective. There being but
one runboat there no permanent i'm.
preston appears to have been produced
upon the enemy, for as they were shelled
out of one rayine thcy would make their
appearance in another. They would thus
appear and retire as the runboat moved
from one point to another.
About one o'clock the fire on both ridcs
slackened somey h 1t. and the eunboat
moved out in the river to cool and clean
the guns, having fred about two hundred
and eighty-two rounds Of shell, shrapnel
and canister. which nearly exhausted the
supply of ammunition. The Rebel, hay-
ing thus far failed in their attack. now
resorted to their customary flag of truce.
The first flag conveyed a demand from
Forrest for the unconditional surrender
of the fort. To this Major Bradford re.
Piled asking to be allowed one hour to
consult with his officers and the officers
of the gunboat.
In short time second flag of truce
appeared with a communication from
Eorrost Ha would .lIow M.;or Rr,J