The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-10-16
The Fort Pillow AFFAIR." Gard
from Gen. N. B Forrest.
To the Editor of the N Y. Times:

To the Editor Of the N Y. Times:
b A correspondent of the Times; whose
letter was published on the 18th inst,
says: M a. So Sg
:" At the time Of the capture Of Fort
Pillow blythe rebsl Gen, Forrest, and the
massacre Of its entire garrison, Gen: then
COLI Lawrence was IN command OF Fort
Columbus. a point on the Mississippi Riy-
er absye Fort Pillow. Gen. Forrest flush
ed with his victory and hislmnrders, march
ed from Fort Pillow directly on Fort TO-
lunbus, notified Col. lawrence thst the
commander and garrison OF Fort Pillow
had been massacreed, informed him that he
commanded 10000 troops and knew that
he nawrence) had only 1000, and ordered
him to surrender in one hours time or ne
and his command should share the fate
which had heen visited on the garrison at
Fort Pillow" Ia
nave hitherto borne 10 silence these
outrageous assaults upon my character as a
man and II soldier; bnt decent regard for
nv own reputation, and sense of duty to-
the brave gentlemen who fought under me.
during the late war, will not permit me to-
remain silent any longer. Unjust therefore
ask YOU to be pleased to allow me to say
through the columns of the Times, that the
CHARGES made against me by your cores
oond.nt are utterly false, and that their
falsity Gun be easily demonstrated BY proof.
which is within easy reach, II !. ..ss Il
| The official report IF the United States
officer commanding at Fort Pillow, and the
4 testimony reported by the Congressional
Investigating Committee, Of which Vice.
President Wade was chairman, show that
the garrison consisted Of only about $50
officers and men. Other proofs, which |
can produce at any time, show that cap
ltured. and can account for, more than 300
of these, SIS Of them, who were badly
wounded, having been delivered by lneStS
the officer commanding United States
gunboat in the vicinity Of the fort, and
about $50 fan official descriptive list of
whom is now in this city in the possession
of Gen. Thomas, Jordan having been turn
ed over by me to Gen. Polk, at Demopolis,
Ala. Ofthnse captured men 90 were ne
GRO soldiers. Nor were. The rest Of the
, garrison all killed; for many of them effect.
ed their escape, while others were drowned
lin the attempt. It will thus be seen that
1.-The proportion of killed was not greater
Il than ia usual in the case Of 80 severe Q
: ight, accompanied by desperate assault
and defense. s.
r. csc facts are known toithe Govern
mept Of the United States and acqait me
not only in the opinion e the President
MIR. Stanton and judge ffSt, hut in tha
h of Congress, ofaay violation Of the ruls II
i of civilized warfare Otherwise | woi!'
ID have been long ago arrested and tried upol
Il that charge. For my own part. conscious
! lof my Innocence, and knowing periectl..
. we'll that have ways waged war With tn
: s,rictest regard to the usages Of clvillze.
nations, | hageinever shunned nymvestl
0 CATION torwhich the Executive orieonsres
q might subject my military conduct.
q As to the absurd charge that marche
: apainst Columbus with 10000 men and ds
J. manded its surrender, with the threat thu
:, | would, in, the event of refusal, "massa
}: Gre it's garrison, ] have only &c say ttaa,y
a never was, during the war, within 20 n'ils
;, of Columbus. after. its evacuation !. ~ y
d Confederates IN 1862; and that the oil'
n troops which approached ct the time rete
le red to, VISA scouting party of less tina
], 100 men and that the, official report
lie Cen. Lawrence himself utterly dsprov'
n v,,pr orr, esnondent'S statements.
! - .1.sg, j IS NIB. FoRREsr.'