Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-05-12


Of the rebels, and our men had throwsdcw Z
their arms aud ceased to offer resistsncs.
When your committeereached Dfemphis.
they found and examined msu, Mr. Me-
LaEan, who had been conscfipttd by some
Of Forrest forces, but with other conscripts
had succeeded in making his escape. He
testified that whils two companies of rebels,
with Major Bradford aud many other pris-
oners, were on their march from Browns.
vile to Jackson, Tenn, Major Bradford
was taken by FIVE rebels, lone an uefhcer) led
about City yards from the line of march,
and deliberately murdered in visw Of all
there assembled. He fell instantly killed
by the musket balls, even while askipg thAe
his life might be spared, as he had fought
them msnfully, end was deserving Of Bet
ter fato. Tho motive for this murder seems
70 hsve been that, although nstive Of the
South, he remained loyal to bis Government.
Tbe testimony, herewith submitted, con,
tains many statements made by the rebels;
that they did not that home made Yankees,
as they termed loyal Southerners, any Bet
ter than negro troops. '---
There is one circumstance connected with
the events here narrated, which your com
mittee cannot permit to pass unnoticed. -
The testimony herewith transmitted, dis
OiOsCo ttiC mOst dotOuuV1UR anu Snuthetui
Fact. that on the morning Of the day sue
ceeding the capture Of Fort Pillow, the gun
boat Stfrer Cloud, the transport Plate
Valley and the Runboat Nec Era landed
at Fort Pillow under flag Of truce. While
they were lying there the rebel Gen. Chal-
mer and other rebel officers came down to-
the landing, and some Of them went on the
boats. Notwithstanding the evidences of
rebel atrociy and 6srbarity with which the
ground was covered, there we're some Of our
officers on board the Platte Eaiiey 80 silent
to every feeling Of decency, honor and self
| respect, as TO make themselves disgrscsful-
ly conspicuous in bestowing ciyilities and at
tentions upon The rebel officers, even while
boasting Of the murders they had there
committed. Your committee were unable to
ascertain the names of the officers. They
are assured, however, by the military au-
thorities that every effort will be made to
ascertain their names and bring them to the
punishment they so richly merit. In rela-
ton to the reinforcement or evacuation of
Fort Pillow, it would appear that the troops
there stationed, were withdrawn on tho
18th OF January last, in order to accompany
the MERIDIAN expedition under Gen. Sher-
man. Gen. Huilbut testifes that he had re-
ceived instructions to permanently vacate
the post, and dcemingi important to occu-
py it, that the rebels should not interrupt
the navigation Of the river, by planting ar
tillsry there, he sent some troops there
about the middle of February, increasing
their number aftsrward until tho garrison
amounted to nearly 60 men. He also states
that as soon rs he learned that the garrison
was attacked, he took measures to send re-
Inducements from Memphis, md they wers
actually embarking when he received iufor.
nation of the capture Of the fort.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
(Signed) B. r. WADE,
TE W. G0OCH.
Adopted by the committee a. their report.
(Signed) Is. Il. WADE, Chm.