The National tribune., 1901-04-18
TIE CAPTURE OF FORT PILLOW.

A Criticism of the Biography of Gen. N. B
Forrest by DR.. John A. wyeth-A Protest
Against Perversion of Hstory-A Defenes
of Colored Troops.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: One DR.
John a. Wyeth has written the BIOGRAPHY
of Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, Con
federate cavalry officer and raider.
! In reviewing this work. Thomas Il,
1 Gaiior, in the Sewanee Review, has seen
fit to say that Forrest was in many re-
spects one of the greatest soldiers that
ever fought on the continent in any war
that the Doctor admires his hero, and
writes enthusiastically; has been painstak
| ing and honest in collecting his facts, and
evidently tries hard to be perfectly fair il
stating them, after having given 80 years
Of patient labor to this work.
| Yes, the Doctor writes enthusiastically
l will try to show by record evidence as
far as the capture of Pillow is concerned
| that he might have been painstaking, but
that he has not been honest in collecting
| facts nor fair in stating them, notwIth-
standing it will be 81 years April II next
| since that event occurred, having had all
| the opportunities of examining ali reports
| and communications as published in the
| Official Records of the War of the Rebel
lion (Vol. 81 and other rulings, as we'll as
| receiving and hearing information from
eye-witnesses who survived that event.
The capture of Fort Pillow, in sub
stance, as verified by the Record (Nol.
81, pages 51S to 574 and 586 to 623l
shows concluslvely to any unbiased mind
that on the 18th day of April, 1884, the
garrison of Fort Pillow consisted of one
battalion of the 9th u S. Ii. A., and one
cactinn of ha 0d Ratfary I, bpiDg
colored troops, and four companies of the
18th West Tenn. Cav, the latter regiment
being in process of organization, number
ing, all told, $50 effective men. In addi-
ton to this force was the u. ;. gunboat
New Era, stationed off the fort, which
could and did render but little assistance,
owing to high bluffs; that it was attacked
on that day by two brigades of rebel cav
airy, Bells and McCollough's, under the
immediate command of Gen. J. K. Chal-
mers, accompanied by Gen. Forrest, who
assumed command in person: that this
force amounted to 1,500 effective veter-
ans who had seen service (see Forests
report, page 900; that the attack COM
menced about $50 a. m; that at a: IN.
the rebels made general assault, which
was repulsed; that Maj. l.. Il. Booth, 9th
u. s. Art, the commanding officer, was
killed during the assault; that Maj. W. +.
Bradford. 18th West Tenn. Cav, then
uSSuIleu Colluduup luHl at II a. III. d SCI
ond assault was made, which was also re-
pulsed; that at $3.50 p. m. firing ceased
on both sides, in consequence of the ap-
pearance of a white flag, displayed by
Forrest, demanding a surrender, the COM
munication reading as follows:
Headquarters Confederate Cavalry,
Near Fort Pillow, Tenn,
april II, 1864.
maj. l.. T. Booth, Commanding U. S.
Enrces nj Fort Pillow
Major: Your gallant defense of Fort
Pillow has entitled you to the treatment
of brave men. / now demand the uncon-
ditional surrender of your forces, at the
same time assuring you that you will be
treated as prisoners of war. l have re-
ceiyed a new supply of ammunition and
can take your works by assault, and, If
compelled to do SO, you must take the
consequences.
"(Signed} N. 3. FORREST,
Major General commanding Confederate
Cavalry"
To this communication reply was
made asking for one hours time for con-
sultation with his officers and the COM
manding officer of the gunboat. This
Booth, Major-General commanding U. s.
forces" desiring to conceal from Forrest
the fact of the death of Maj. Booth.
To this answer Gen. Forrest sent the
following:
Headquarters Confederate Cavalry,
Near Fort Pillow,
April II, 1864.
Maj. L. F. Booth, ETC.: 1 do not de
mand the surrender of the gunboat; 20
minutes will be given you to take your
men outside the fort and surrender. If,
in that time, this demand is not complied
with, l will Immediately proceed to as
sault your works and you must take the
consequences.
"(Signed) N. B. FORREST,
"MajorGeneral, G. S. Army"
To this communication was delivered
the following answer:
Headquarters U. s. Forces, near Fort
Pillow, Tenn, April II, 1864.
maj. Gen. N. B. Forrest, Commanding
Confederate Cavalry.
General: I will not surrender.
"(Signedl L. f. BOOTH.
Commanding q. S. Forces"
This was delivered to Gen. Forrest in
person.
During the cessation of firing on both
sides, Gen. Forrest took occasion TO move
his troops partially under cover of ra-
vine and thick underbrush into the very
position he had been fighting to obtain
throughout the entire engagement up to
$3.50 p. M; consequently, when the final
decision of the garrison had been made
known the rebel charge was Immediately
sounded and they, rising within 20 yards
of the works upon ground obtained by yio-
lation of the law of war, charged and sue
ceeded in entering the fort about p. m,
and then commenced the massacre. Our
men were shot down and bayoneted like
dogs. without regard to color.
Maj. Bradford, the commanding officer,
was taken prisoner and brutally mur
dered on April IA, while in charge of a
rebel guard, about five miles from Browns
vile, while en- route to Jackson, Tenn.
~ L. t.