Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-11-14

Last Hours Of the Great Guerrilla-.-The
Story Of Fort Pillow. and FORESTS
EXPLANATION.

zen. N. Is. FORREST Dreathed his last
about o'clock last evening, at the resi-
dence Of his brother, Col. Jesse A. For
rest, on Union street, in this city. To
those who have for several weeks
watched with sympathetic apprehen-
sion the condition of Gen. Forrest, the
announcement of his death will not be
a surprise. They saw the pulse of life
beating weak and low in his fevered
veins, and knew that the ebbing tide
would soon cease to flow. But to the
many, who have for years been accus-
to ned to see his erect figure, his tower
ing form, perfect in his majestic man
hood and symmetrical beauty the in
telligence of his death will bring shock
of surprise and sorrow For the past
three years Gen. Forrest has made
Presidents Island, two miles below the
city, his home, where he was extensive
ly engaged in planting, and operating
mostly with convict labor. He en-
barked in the enterprise with all the
energy of his enthusiastic nature, and
close attention to business and long ex-
posture impregnated his system with a
malarial poison which superinduced
chronic inflammation of the bowels,
and which, for six months, has baffied
the combined skill of our best physi-
clans. So robust in mind, so vital in
nature, and so strong and fresh in his
manhood was Gen. Forrest, that he
never despaired of his recovery until
Sunday morning last. He seemed to
think that the indomitable will which
had so often conquered on the field of
battle could hold in check even an enc
my as remorseless as death, and he was
hopeful until Sundaymorning, when he
consented to be removed to the city,
where he could die among his friends.
II. was greatly fatigued by the trip, and
gradually grew worse until he expired.
Over twelve months ago Gen. Forrest
joined the Cumberland Presbyterian
church, and since that time he has been
an exemplary Christian His pastor,
Rev. Dr. Stainback, visited him Thurs
day last and found him happy in the
blissful knowledge that he was prepared
for eternity
The story of the massacre of Fort
Pillow, which is the principal event with
which Gen. Forests name is associated,
is told as follows The massacre oc-
Cured on he12th of April, 1864. Fort
Pillow is sixty-tive miles above Mem
phls, and It's capture was effected during
| FORESTS celebrated raid through Ten
nessee, State which was at the time
practically in possession Of the Union
| forces Gen. Sherman had started on
an expedition for Nicksburg, in Febru-
airy. through Mississipri he was to be
supported by Gen. Smith with cavalry
column, which, marching from Mem
phis, was to join him at Meridian Sher-
mans march from west to east across
the State was SO rapidly and .skilfully
done that it was a mere promenade
The confederate commander, Gen. Polk,
could make no effective resistance to-
him, but he bent all his energies to pre-
venting the junction of Smiths cavalry
column with Sherman. For this Dur-
pose he ordered all his cavalry to join
Forrest, and intrusted that commander
with the task Of heading off Smith.
This was done most effectually, for the
conduct of Gen. William S. Smith
seems to have been marked from the
from Memphis was made late enough
to give Forrest time to collect all
his forces for resistance the march
of the Union cavalry was an utterly dis
organized one, SO that when, on the 22d
of February, it reached Oklahoma, one
hundred miles north of Meridian, disci-
pine seems to have been utterly re-
laxed Here Forests cavalry met
them, and at the first charge the Union
forces were practically routed. Every
thing fell into utter confusion, and
Smith had to retreat, pursued by the
enemy for ten DAYS over the wasted
country through which he had just adj
vanced. Forrest now saw his opportu-
nifty for a raid into the heart Of Ten
'nessee. The garrison there had been
weakened by the concentration of forces
for the spring campaign and he had
nothing to fear in the way Of superior
force. Late IN March he passed into
that State, and the route of his advance
was marked by outrages and brutalities
of the most cold-blooded character. He
captured most Of the small garrisons on
his line of march, in each case sum-
mOning the defenders to surrender
under threat that if he had to storm
the works he would give no quarter.
On the 18th Of April he appeared before
Fort Pillow. This fort was garrisoned
by five hundred troops, about half of
them colored. Forests force num-
bered five thousand or six thousand.
His first attack was complete sur
prise, and the commanding officer was
killed early in the engagement. Still
the defenders fought SO gallantly that
at 2 o'clock the enemy had gained no
material advantage. Forrest then sent
in flag of truce, demanding uncondi-
tional surrender. While the flag was
flying, Forests men treacherously
crept into a position which they had
been unable to take by fight "a trick
they had played at other places, and
thus were in situation to make the
assault which soon followed under every
advantage. After a short consultation,
Maj. Bradford, on whom the command
had devolved, sent word refusing to sur
render Instantly the bugles sounded
the assault The enemy were now with
in one hundred yards of the fort, and at
the sound they rushed on the works.