Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-05-27
vengeance sworn Against the Fort Pillow


The Memphis Bulletin gives the following ae-
count of scene at Fort Pickering near that place,
on the Sd. on the OCCASION of the arrival of the
widow Of Major Booth
Col Jackson Of the 9th e. S. heavy artillery
had his regiment formed into line for her recep-
ton In front OF the centre stood fourteen men,
as fine brave fellows as tread the earth They
were the remnant Of the first battalion of the re,
gilnent now drawn ul--aH who had escaped the
iendish scenes CT Fort Pillow. scenes that have
stamped Yet deeper blackness or the infamous
brow of treason Mrs. Booth came forward. In
her hand She bore flag, red and clotted with hui
man blQod. She took position IN front of the
fourteen heroes so lataly under her deceased nus
band S command The ranks before her observed
silence that was full IF solemnity. Many har-
DIV face showed by twitching of lids and humid
eyes how the sight OF the bereayed lady touched
bos0ms that could meet steel. and drew on the
fountain oftears that had remained dry even amid
the piteoGS sights witnessed on the battlefield
after a fierce action. Turning to the men before
her she said
Boys. have inst come from Yisic to the hos-
pital at Mound City. There saw your comrades
wounded at the bloody struggle in Fort Pillow
There / found this tiag-you recognize 1T. One OF
your comrades saved it from the insulting touch of
traitors at Fort Pillow! have given my coun-
try all | had to give-lny husband-stlch a gift
Yet have freely given him for freedom and my
country Next my husbands cold remains, the
next dearest object left me in the world is this
fag-the flag that waved in proud defiance over
the works Of Fort Pillow! Soldiers, this flag
give 20 you, knowing that YOU viii ever remember
the last words of my noble husband: Never sur
render the flag to traitors
Col jackson then received from her hand, on
behalf of his command, the blood-stained flag
He called upon the regiment to receive it as such
a gift ought to be received At that call he and
every man of the regiment fell upon their knees,
and, solemnly appealing to the God of battles,
each one swore to ayenge their brave and fallen
comrades, and neyer-neyer TO surrender the nag
TO tFaitorsl The scene was one never surpassed
in emotional incident. Beside the swift rolling
waters of the Mississippi-within the inclasure
that bristled with the deathdealing cannon, kneis
these rough soldiers, whose bosoms were heaying
emotion, and on many Of whose cheeks qulTered
tear they tried to hide, though it did honor to
their manly natures Beside them stood In her
grief the widow of the loved officer they had lost
and above them was held the bloody fag-that
eloquent record Of crime, which has capped the
climax ofrebellion, and which viii bring a reckon
ing so fearful. In few but pointed and incislve
words, Col. Alexander pledged himself and his
command to discharge to the uttermost the sol
enn obligation of justice they had that day taken.
Col Kappan followed him, expressing himself in
favor of such retalatory acts as justice and laws
Of warfare require in a case of such fendish and
wicked cruelty Woe to the unlucky reb who
falls into the hands of any Of the commands rep
resented at this solemn declaration.