The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-05-14

The Massacre Of Fort Pillow.
TOUCHING 6cnNE IN Fort piCKERINo-
SPEECH or Aas. BooTH-AN OATH no
AvENaE THE MAssAcRE.
IFrom the Memphis Bulletin. 2Bth.l
On Tuesday last, April 26, the widow Of
Tor Booth. the late commander at Fort Pill
low. arrived at Fort Pickering, below this
CITY. Col Jackson Of the 9th United States
Heavy Artillery, had his regiment formed
into line for her reception. In front Of ita
center stood fourteen men, as hne, brave
fellows as tread the earth. They were the
remnant Of the LIST Battalion of the regiment
now drawn up-all who he'd escaped the
fiendish scenes of Fort Pillow-scenes that
have stamped yet deeper blackness on the
infamous brow Of treason.
Mrs. Booth came forward. In her hand
she bore flag, red and clotted with human
blood. She took . position in front of the
fourteen heroes, so lately under her deceas-
ed husbands command.
The ranks before her observed silence
that was full Of solemnity. Many hardy
face showed by twitching lips and humid
ewes how the sight of the bereaved lady
touched bosoms that could meet steel, and
drew on the fountain Of tears that had re-
manned dry even amid the piteous sights
action, s..
Turning to the men before her, she said I:
BOYS, I have Just come from visit to the
hospital ut Mound City. There ! saw your
comrades, wounded at tho bloody struggle
in Fort Pillow. There found this flag
you recognize It'll One Of your comrades
saved it from the insulting touch Of trail
tors at Fort Pillowl 81
I have given to my country all had TO
Rive-my husband-such gift! Yet 1have
foelv given him for freedom and my coun-
Next nv husbands cold remains, the
next dearest object left me in the world, 10
this flag-the flag that waved IN proud de-
fiance over the works Of Fort Pillow!
soldiersl this flag I give to you, knowing
that Won will ever remember the last words
Of my noble husband-'never surrender
the dag 70 traitorsr'
Col. jackson then received from her
hands-on behalf Of his command-the
blood.stained flag. he called upon the
regiment to receive it as such 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 bat
ties. each one swore 70 avenge their brave
ard fallen comrades and never-Never to
surrender the flag TO trGitors!
The scene Wan one never surpassed In
emotional incident. Beside the swift-roll-
ing waters Of the neutrality-suspicious. the
Enclosure that bristled with the DEATH
dealing cannon, knels these rough soioielss
whose bosoms were heaving with emotions
and On many Of whose checks quiverod a
tear they tried 70 hide. Though i did honor
to their manly natures. Beside them stood,
In her grief. the widow Of the loved ofIacer
they had lost-and above them was held
The bloody fag-that eloquent record Of
crime. which has capped the climax Of the
rsbsllon, and which viii bring . reckoains
IN lew but pointed and decisive words,
Colonel Alexander pledged himself and
hin command to discharge to the utternost
tho solemn obligation Of justice they bad
that day taken.
. Colonial Kappas followed him, express
ing himself In favor OF such retaliatory
acts o. justice and the laws Of warfare re-.
Quire in case OF such Aendish and wicked
cruelty. e.es
Woe to the unlucky sreb, who falls into
the hands Of any Of the commando repre-
scented ut this solemn declaration. The de-
termination Of the Officers of the 9Th y. q.
Heavy Artillery 10 inoontestible, their bra
very has been tried, and they have never
been found wanting. ~ q