The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1864-04-21
Cairo, April II, 1864.

cold Blood.
Cairo, April Il, 1864.
On Tuesday morning, the Rebel Gen.
Forrest attacked Fort Pillow. Soon az
ter the attack Forrest sent flag of truce
demanding the surrender of the fort and
garrison, meanwhile disposing his force
SO as to gain the advantage Oar forces
were under command Of Major Booth of
the 18th Tennessee CO. 50 Heavy Ar
tillery, formerly Of the lst Alabama Cav
airy.
The flag Of truce was refused, and
lighting resumed. -Afterward a second
flag came in, which was also refused.
Both flags gave the Rebels the advan-
tage Of gaining new positions.
The battle was kept up until 4 p M.
when Major Booth was killed and Major
Bradford took command.
The Rebels now came in swarms over
our troops, compelling them to surrend-
! er.
Immediately upon the surrender en-
sued a scene which utterly battles de-
description. Up to that time compare
lively few OF our men had been killed
but insatiate as fends, bloodthirsty as de-
wills incarnatc, the Confederates com-
menced an indiscriminate butchery OF
whites and blacks, including those of both
colors who had been previously wound
| ed
The black soldiers, becoming demoral
lied, rushed to the rear, the white off
GERS having thrown down their arms.
Both white and black were bayoneted
shot, or sabered. Even dead bodies were
horribly mutilated, and children of I and
s years and several negro women killed
in cold blood. Soldiers unable to speak
from wounds were shot dead, and theil
bodies rolled down the banks into the riv-
er. The dead and wounded negroes
were piled in heaps and burned, and sew
eral citizens who had Joined our forces
for protection were killed and wounded.
Out Of the garrison Of 600, but 200 re-
ma;ned alive.
Among our dead officers are Captain
Bradford, Lieuts. Barr, Ackersbrom, vii
son, Revel, and Major Booth, all of the
18th Tennessee Cavalry, and Captain
Young, 9th Missouri Acting Provost
Marshal were taken prisoners.
Major Bradford was also captured, bat
is said to have escaped; it is feared, how
ever, that he has been killed
The steamer Platte Valley came up at
about 81 o'clock and was hailed by the
Rebels under fag Of truce Men were
sent ashore to bury the dead and take a
board such Of the wounded as the enemy
had allowed to live. Fifty-seven were
taken aboard, including seven or eight
colored. Eight died on the way up
The steamer arrived here this evening.
and was Immediately sent to the Mound
City Hospital to discharge her suffering
cargo.
Among onr wounded officers of colored
troops are Capt. Porter, Lieut.. Libberts.
and Adjt. Lemming
Six guns were captured by the Rebels
and carried Of, including two 10-pound
PARROTS and two l2-pound howitzers. 4
large amount Of stores was destroyed or
carried away.
The Intention of the Rebels seemed to
be to evacuate the place and move on to-
ward Memphis.
Cairo, April Is, 1864.
Two negro soldiers, wounded at Fort
Pillow, were buried by the Rebels, but
afterward worked themselves out of their
graves. They were among those brought
up in the Platte Valley, and are now in
the hospital at Mound City.
The officers of the Platte Valley re-
ceive great credit for the military author
tiles for landing at Fort Pillow at immi-
nent risk and taking our wounded on
board, and for their kind attentions on
the way up.
No boats have been allowed to leave
here for points below Columbus since the
first news Of the Fort Pillow affair.
The attack on Paducah yesterday
proved to be mere raid for plunder
made by couple hundred men, who
were shelled out by the fort and gun
boats, after occupying portion of the ci-
ty in squads.
About noon they left taking away a
number of horses and considerable plum
der, and leaving behind about six of their
wounded. No one hurt on our side.
Several of the guns captured by For
rest at Fort Pillow were spiked before
falling into his hands.
Others were turned upon, gunboat No.
Z, which having fired some 800 rounds
and exhausted her ammunition, was COM
PEELED to withdraw. Although a tin-clad
she received but slight injury
Gen. Lee arrived and assumed the
command at the beginning of the battle.
Previous to which, Gen. Chalmer direct
ed the movements. Forrest. with the
main force retired, taking with him the
funds.
st. Louis, April Is. 1864.
The correspondent of The Union who
was on board the steamer Platte Valley
at Fort Pillow, gives even more appail-
ing description Of the fendishness of the
Rebels than our Cairo disnatobao