The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-05-24
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The Massacre of Fort Pillow
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On Tuesday last, April 20, the wid-
ow Of Major Booth, the late comman.
der at Fort Pillow, 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 from, of its centre stood fourteen
men, as fine, brave fellows ~ tread
he earth. They were the remnant
ol tho lsl Battalion Of the regimen,
now drawn up--all who had escaped
the fIendish scenes q Fort Pillow
scenes that have stamped yet deeper
blRckness on the infamous brow Of
treason.
Mrs. Booth came forward. Ia hor
hand she bore flag. rcd and elotied
with human blood She took posi-
tion in front oi the fourteen heroes, 80
lately under her deceased husbands
command.
The ranks before her observed
silence that was fall Of solemnity,--
Many hardy face showed by twitch-
ing lips and humid eyes how the
sight Of the bcleayed lady touched
bosoms that could meet steel, and
drew on the fuu tain Of tears that had
remained dry even amid the piteons
sights witnessed on the battle field At
ter fierce action.
Turning TO the men before her, she
said
Boys have just come from a visii
TO the hospital at Mound City. There
| saw your comrades, wounded at the
bloody struggle in Fort Pillow
There found This hag--goa recog-
nize il One Of your comrades saved
it from the insulting touch Of traitors
at Fort Pillow.
| ] have given to my country all |
had to give--my husband = such
silt Yet | have freely given him
tor freedom and my country.
Next my husbands cold remains,
the next dearest object left me in the
world, is this flag the flag that wav-
ed in proud defiance over the works
of Fort Pillow.
Soldiers this flag give TO yon,
knowing that you will ever remember
the last words Of my noble husband
-" never surrender the flag to trail
tors
Col. Jackson then received from
her hands on behalf Of his command
the blood stained flag. He called
upon the regiment TO receive Il as
such gift ought to be received. At
that call he and every man Of The
regiment fell upon their knees, and
soiemnly appealing TO the God ofbat-
lies, each one swoae 10 ayenge their
brave and fallen comrades and never
I.-ncrer 10 surrender The Jlag 10 hai-
tors!
The scene was one never surpassed
in emotional incident. Beside thn
swift-rolling waters Of the. Mississippi
- within the inelosure that bristled
with the deaih-deaiing cannon, knelt
these rough soldiers, whose bosoms
we're heaying with emotions and on
many Of whose cheeks quivcred a
tear they tried 10 hide, though il did
honor to their manly natures. Be
side them stood in her grief, the Wild
ow Of the loved officer they had lost
and above them was held the bloody
fag--that eloquent record OF crime,
and wdich will bring reckoning so
fearful.
In few but pointed and decisive
words. Colonel Alexander pledged
himself aud his command TO discharge
TO the utlermost the solemn obligation
Of justice they had that day taken
Colonel Kappas followed him, ex-
pressing himself in favor Of such re-
taliatory acts as justice and the laws
Of warfare require in case Of such
fendish and wicked cruelty.
I Woe TO the unlucky reb,' who falls
into the hands Of any Of the com:
mands represented at this solemn de-
raralion. The determination Of the
officers Of the 9Th 4. s. Heavy Artil-
lery i ineontesible, their bravery has
been tried, and they have never been
found wanting.