New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-04-27
THE FORT PILLOW MASSACRE.

THE FORT PILLOW MASSACRE.
Graphic Statement by an Eyc-Witnes--
The Rcbels Gain an Entrance Under
Flag Of Trucc-Union Soldiers shot
Down i'm Cold Blood, and Hunted by
Observation-Disclosures and White Men
Burned and Buried Alive.
From The Missouri Democrat, 22d.
Edward II. Benton a citizen, resident Of Fort
Pillow. who present at the nhuman massacre by
the Rebel troops under Forrest at Fort Pillow ex
anined at Department Headquarters on Tuesday by
Major Bond. a. d. G.. The testimony was taken by
william Thorpc esq. photographic reporter, Of this
city. and Is as follows:
I was born IN Waliham, Vermont
Question Where have YOU resided nstl
Answer / was In Missouri engaged in furnishing
beef 10 the Government troops on the North Missouri
road until year ago last July. then went down to
Fort Pillow, and have been there ever since.
q. What was your business thcref
A. owned 2l5 acres Of the fort, bordering on the
river and the very land We fought on I putting
in hundredscres Of cotton just outside Of tho forthca-
lions. which was my principal business.
Y. You lived outside the fort
A. Yes. Sir slept there. ] was in the fort every
day. II only about mile from the landingnot
mile from tie Notifications.
| ARRIVAL OF FORREST.
o. Just say when yOn saw ForreSr's men-about the
day and time 81 day and what you did
A. ON Tuesday morning. the 18th Of this month,
va. wskened b. about o'clock, or - o'clock, by a
little darkcy h who came into ny and says, O,
Mr. Beno1 ~. FORESTS men have come. aud they
are lust gOiag into the fort 10 take itwhat viii dor
got out Of bed and looked out Of the window toward
tie fort and saw about 900 or 400 OF Forests
drawn no I'm line and some making speech to
them. which was answered by cheering They c9eered
and then the pckets fired put some things in my va
aud got In by running the plckets, about O'clock and
went Immediately to Majer Booth and asked for gun.
sIaa fns. do fln
works where remained and shot az every person OF
Forress men that could get chance-hring Is shots
in all-unti the flag Of truce was sent in.
SHAMEFUL CONDUCT UNDER A FLAG OF TRUCE.
Q. What was the time of day it came in
A. II came in about o'clock should think II or
o'clock IN the afternoon.
Q. Had they made any attack then'
O Had they tried to carry the fort by storm and been
4. o., yes, Sir At one time the Confederate troops
had all disappeared.
o. Were 400 all there were'
x. Those were all saw there. This was when they
first made their appearance when first saw this fvp
After getting into the fort more than .00 com
ing In al the different passes and the sharpshooters
stationed on every hill on every side u us except
the river size.
carry the Fort before the flag OF truce camei
A. We fred twice 1t is not proper to be called an
attack.
q Did they use artillery
< Yes. Sir They could not hurt us with that.
They shot at the gunboat.
o When the flag of truce came in did they make any
disposition Of their troops around the Fort there
A. Yes, Sir. After the flag Of truce was sent, and
the firing ceased they up all sides % within ten
yards Of the very embellishments that screened u.s.
o While the flag Of truce waiting'
K Yes Sir more especially the northern side, Just
under the bank looking toward Coal Greek.
o. How long that flag inside our lines
4 One hour was the time-I suppose 1t was all Of an
hour.
.. Do you know the nature Of it
A. 1t was for an unconditional surrender.
O. II was refused by Major BOOTH
A. BY Major Bradford-yes, sir-Msjor Booth had
been killed. lie asked time to consult with the gun
boats and finally returned answered that there were
none Of Hawkinss men there and he never would sur
O. Did MT Major Bradford make any protest against
the troops coming az. under the dag in that way
Q. O. When her tho dog went back did they commence
firing ageini
A. Yes. sir.
o. Kept it up for how longi
They commenced firing again, but the Firing did Mt
last fifteen minutes Up to this time there had not been
STRENGTH OF THE GARRISON.
O What was the strength Of the garrsonf
<. five hundred and eighty, think, just.
o How many Of these were negroesi
A. About three hundred and eighty-nearly four
hundred; don't know exactly TO man.
o. How many citizens beside yoursefi
4 WIN. w Cutler OF Chicago, and young man by
tho name OF Robinson; he was soldier but in citizens
clothes aud got OH ON that plea.
HOW THE FORT WAS CAPTURED.
o. Tho second flag that came in-about how hong
after the iirsti
one, there was no firing in the interim.
o. Was there any firing while the first was in'
K No sir; not a gle shot was fired on either side
far tho flag Of Ind been rejected the surren-
der rejected they close to the Fort that about
GOO lust sprung right In and the whole garrison threw
down their arms at once. The bigger portion OF the
darkies umped down the bank toward the Mississippi
RIVER without any at all, and were followed by
FORESTS men, and shot unfortunately, black and
white. with handkerchefs held over them In great
nnn,ber OF nstanccs-as many fifty should think.
NUMBERING TIE PRISONERS.
o. Did you see any Of these persons formed In line
and shot dOwni
A. Yes, Sir
u. How manyf
A. They were collected, at least, should think, i've
or six different times.
o. How long liner
A Well il was more In collection than II prop
or,y In q straight line; there line probably long
as This roora--about 80 or IS feet
o. These lines scattered by Rebel shots several
times
A. Yes, Sir.
O These men were unarmedi
A. Unarmed; no arms Of any description, and held
I'D both hands. begging for quarter.
O. Were ron put In the bncf
4. No Sir, was not II was ATTEMPTED to PIT ne Id