Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-04-21
THE CAPTURE OF FORT Pill
LOW AND MASSACRE OF THE
GARRISON
CAIRo. Anril III.

AOh AMI mAOoAChE Of LIE
GARRISON
CAIRO, April IA.
On Tuesday morning, Forrest,
with some 5000 men attacked Fort
Pillow. Soon after the attack For
rest sent a flag of truce demanding
the surrender Of the Fort and garri-
son, mean while disposing his forces
so as to gain a decided advantage.
Major Booth, of the 18th TENNESSEE
Cavalry, was in command of the
Fort, with 400 Of that regiment and
200 of the first battalion 9th U S.
heavy artillery, formerly the lst
Alabama cavalry, colored.
The flag of truce was refused, and
fighting resumed. Afterward a
second flag came in, which was also
refused. Both flags gave the rebels
advantage of gaining new positions.
The battle was kept up till 8 P NJ,
when Major Booth was killed, and
Major Bradford took command. The
rebels now came in swarms, over
p0wering our troops and compelling
their surrender.
Immediately upon the surrender,
ensued a scenewhich utterly battles
description. Up to that, comparative
ly few Of our men were killed, but
insatiate as fiends, bloodthirsty as
devils Incarnate, the Confederates
commenced an indiscriminate butch
cry of whites and blacks, including
those of both colors previously
wounded.
The black soldiers becoming
demoralized, rushed to the rear and
the white officers having thrown
down their arms, both whites and
blacks were bayoneted. shot or
sabred. Even dead bodies were
horribly mutilated. Children seven
or eight years old, and several negro
women were killed in cold blood.
Soldiers unable to speak from
wounds were shot dead and their
bodies rolled down the banks into
the river. Dead and wounded ne
groes were piled in huts and burned.
and several citizens whe Joined our
forces for protection we're killed or
wounded. Out of a garrison of 600
only 200 remained alive.
Among our dead officers, are
Captain Bradford, Lieutenant Baser
Ackerstern, Wilson R. Revel, and
Major Booth, all Of the 18th Tennes-
see Cavalry. Captain Poston, and
Lieutenant Logan, of the 18th Ten
nessee. Captain Young Of the 24th
Missouri, acting Provost Marshal
taken prisoners. Major Bradford,
was also captured, hut is said to have
escaped. 1t is feared, however, had
been killed.
Tho Steamer Platt Valley came
up about half past three, she was
hailed by Rebels under a flag of truce
Men were sent ashore to bury the
dead and take aboard such wounded
as the rebels 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 Immediately gentlemen of the
Mound City Hospital made arrange
ments to discharge her suffering car
go. Among the wounded officers
Of colored troops are Captain Porter,
Sibberts and Adjutant
Lemming.
Six guns captured by the rebels
were carried off. in lading two ten
FOUNDER PARROTS and two twelve
FOUNDER howitzers, and a large
amount ofstores destroyed or carried
away. The intention of the rebels
seemed to be to evacuate the place,
and move on towards Memphis.
THE SOLDIERS VOTING LAW.
A RADICAL and at the same time
beneficial change has been made in
the soldiers voting law. AS it now
stands it provides that there shall be
one poll for each regiment, indepen-
dent battalion or battery, instead of
one for each comDanv The noll |