The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-20
THE AFFAIR AT FORT PILLOW.
Mr.. Deb. Randolph keim's Despatch.
CAIRO, H., April 1880 A. NJ

FORREST ATTACKS FORT PILLOW.
Having just returned from Paducah. with dispatches
concerning the fight which occurred there yesterday,
was shocked learn the first particulars Of the most
horrible transaction Of the 90 April Is. day
light, the enemy, numbering six thousand, under the
immediate command Of Forrest, made his appearance
u the vicinity Of Fort Pillow fortified post the Ten
side Of the Mississippi river about two hundred
miles below this point AT the morning the enemy
commenced the attack, In the most vigorous manner,
opening with pieces OF artillery. The garrison 10 the
fort consisted Of the First Alabama negro regiment and
regiment Of Tennessee cavalry, all under command OF
Major Booth. spirited reply was Immediately made by
ing his columns until fort invested from
river to river. In the course Of several hours 2
charge made upon the fort, but was calamity re-
pulsed After repeated attacks the garrison finally
overwhelmed and obliged TO surrender The Fight lasted
from SIX until three NJ , 10 ,,, ns legitimate a en-
Tho enemy lost about hundred possibly more; for ms
charges were made mainly through open fields.
MASSACRE
Alter the troops had surrendered their arms, . pre-
liminary butchery commenced The negroes, becoming
alarmed fell behind their officers The enemy Immediate
ly fell upon the latter, and, after massacriog all,
resumed upon the negroes the numbering now being pro
miscuous Persons that we're the field state that
no quarter was even shown The wounded who already
dying from the loss OF blood bad out strength
enough left TO raise their hands in qualification OF
cry for mercy. Even these touching marks were also
and the mseres OF the unfortunate sufferers
ended coldblooded murder Out Of six hundred tina,
those mostly wounded left " tell the tale But seven
negroes TO have escaped Major Bradford one
Of the escaped prisoners OF Sregh command was 10 the
fort during the ght and has not since been heard FROM
Yesterday, the steamer Platte Valley was passing
up tine river from Memphis, she was brought to Dy
the rebel commander and ordered 10 take board the
wounded and few prisoners all having been previously
paroed During this time one OF the rebel commanders
named Chalmers, aud several other officers, came on
board and drank freely at the bar OF the boat II said
by passengers that several OF officers drank with
them The names OF these officers should be known,
and they should be dismissed Immediately More Of tbs
hereafter.
TIj ARRIVAL srrAMER WITH THE worNDEp.
The Platte Valley, with the remnants OF the garrison
reached here this afternoon II is said by all that the
sight was hearrendng In the extreme. The decks Of
the thick with gore, and the suerngs OF the
men were intense Everything 10 the way Of drugs bad
been seized by the enemy The have been taken 10
the Mound City Hospital where they will DO properly and
kindly treated. f#
The question now ie, will The authorities
taliatc for this objectionable and savage mas.
sacrcf The severest measures should be adopted.
Look al the map you will md Forrest ana his force sur
rounded by three rivers Guard these and move strong
force up from below the result lie sure the rebels e
s TO be fed pap, the people have right 70 demand
that be administered In bottles expressly designed for
the purpose dealt around BY those timy regard
full Of their feelings sDd well being.
cap.ure Of General shaen.lsora s.d
Otners BY 0uerillas. w
Lou,svnls, Ky, April 10, 1854.
Benefits guerilla band on Thursday captured, al
Jacksonville, General shaCkelford, Provost Marshal
pAchsr Noen q that place, and several citizens, al Of