The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-07-28
Deatl, or Judge bradford.

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Extracts from Reports Of the Congress.
sional Committee on the conduct Of the
War.-ln reference to the Fort Pillow
Massacre
Their demand Of the flag Of truce
having beer refused, the order was
given by General Forrest in person to
charge upon the works and show no
quarter. Ha:f an hour after the issu
ance Of this order scene Of terror and
massacre ensued. The rebels came
pouring in solid masses right over the
breas,works. Their numbers were per-
fec,ly overwhelming. The moment
they reached the top Of the walls, and
commenced firing as they descended,
the colored troops were panic striken,
threw down their arms. aud run down
the bluff, pursued sharply, begging FOR
life. But escape was impossible. The
confedcrates had apprehended such !
result, and had placed regiment Of
cavalry where it could cut off all effec.
tive retreat. This cavalry regiment
employed themselves in shooting down
the negro troops as fast as they made
thei, appearance. The whites. IS soon
As they perceived they were also to be
butchered inside the fort, also ran
down. They had previously thrown
down their arms aud submitted. In
many instances the men begged for
life at the hands Of the enemy, even on
their knees. They were only made to
stand upon their fee, and then sum
marily shot down. Captain Theo. F.
Bradford, ot company a. 18th Tennes.
ace cavalry, was signal officer for the
gnnhoa', and was sen bv General
Forrest with the signal flags. The
general, in person, ordered Captain
Bradford TO b. shot. He wa instantly
ridjled with bullets, nearly full reyi-
nent having ercd their pieces upon
him. Lieutenant Wilson, Of company
A, 18th Tennessee cavalry, was killed
after he had surrendered, he having
been previously wounded. Lieutenant
} c. Akers'rom, company +, 18Th
Tennessee cavalry, and acting regimen.
ial quar,ermaster, was severely wound
ed after he had surrendered, and then
nailed To the side Of mouse and the
house set on 6re, burning HIM to death.
F. A. SMITH,
First. Lieut.. Co. d, l3th Tenn. Cav.
WM. CLEARY.
Sec. Lieut.. Co. B 18th Tenn. Cav.
General NJ. B,ayman.
A tue COPY.
C. B. SMITH,
Lieutenant and A. d. e
THE following ~ taken from An affada
Wit OF james r Brigham, a resident Of
Fredonia, Chautanque Co. n. Y)
Capt. Bradford of the 18th Tennes
see, was engaged with blue signal aag
in connexion with gunboat No. I. Capt.
Bradford was ordered shot by General
Forrest, who said "Shoot that man with
The black flag" This was after The
surrender. Hi. body wa. literally shot
to pieces. All, both black and white.
fought manfnlly. l saw several negroes
wounded with blood running from their
bodies, still engaged loading ard firing
cannon and mnskets cheerfully There
was no giving way till litteen hundred
confcderates rushed inside the fort.
Most were killed outside the fort when
prisoners. The fort Was defended sue.
ccssfully f.r over eight hours by from
500 to Goo meu against $500 TO 1000
barbayiaua I heard confederate off.
GERS cay it was the hardest contested
engagement that Forrest had ever been
engaged in. heard officers cay they
would never recognize negroes as rri
soners Of war, but wonld kill them when
ever taken. Even if they caugAtn
negro with hlna clothes on (uniform)
they would kill him. Officers Of negro
troops were treated and murdered the
same as negroes themselves.
s. JAS. Il. BINGHAM.
Sworn before me at Caro-, Hin ais,
this 18th day &c April, 1864.
JNO. II MUNROE,
Assistant Adj. Gen.
| A true copy.
0 J II. ODLfN,
Assistant Adj. Gen.
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