The National tribune., 1909-10-28

Tennessee TO disturb Sherman's COM
munications and carry off conscripts
and supplies. He was beaten Oft from
Paducah, Union City. Columbus, and
other places that he attacked, ana April
IL appeared at Fort Pillow, 40 miles
above Memphis. with large force. The
fort was held by Il garrison OF 55i men,
of whom 262 We're negrOs. The remain
der were loyal Tennesseans belonging to
Mai. Bradford.s 18th Tenn. Cav, and
who were as badly hated by Forests
men as the negros.
The fort was commanded by Mai. J..
w Booth, who had 8 guns in addition
To the infantry Maj. Booth refused to
surrender, and was killed early in the
fight. Maj. Bradford took command,
and held out bravely until he received
a flag of truce from Forrest repeating
his demand for surrender, which Brad
ford declined. Forrest took advantage
of the flag of truce, and slipped his meii
up n ravine, from which they could
make the usual quick rush to the fort.
AS soon as the surrender was refused
this party made a rush over the works,
and aitho the garrison, seeing the hope
leSsncss Of the struggle, surrendered,
they were shot down without mercy,
DR. ven from the bank into the river and
killed in the water as they attempted
to escape. In his official report Forrest
boasted that he had killed 500 and taxi
Ell 100 prisoners, with loss to himself
of only 20 Killed and 90 wounded.
All the circumstances connected with
the affair were SO atrocious that ii was
made the subject OF n special investiga-
ton by the Committee on the Conduct OF
the War, which examined 80 witnesses,
most of whom had been In the affair or
near by. The conclusion arrived at was
that at least 800 men were murdered
in cold blood after the fort was in the
possession of the rebels and our-men
had thrown down their arms
The affair was long and anXiously
discussed by President Lincoln and his
Cabinet. A n matter of principle the
President was strongly disposed TO stern
retaliation which would impress upon
| the Confederates that the black soldier
could be murdered with no more i'm
punity than the white. one, and that all
| who wore the unifornnr OF the United
States should be treated alike. He SUBJ
mitted this question TO his Cabinet, and
asked their opinion in writing. Secre-
| tary Seward insisted that the Govern
ment should vindicate the right of all
| its soldiers to be regarded as prisoners
| of war, but that great cauto on should be
observed with regard to retaliation. He
advised that an equal number of Con-
| federate prisoners should be set apart
| as hostages until the Confederates
should give explanation and pledges
| that the crime should not be repeated.
Secretary Chase held the same view,
but advised that the hostages be Sc
lected from the prisoners of the highest
rank in number equivalent to those who
| had been massacred at Fort Pillow. Sec
retary Stanton agreed in this, but want
| ed Forrest Chalmers and their officers
excluded from the benefits of any terms
| that might be offered to the other Con-
federate soldiers, and that their deliv-
| cry for punishment should be demand
ed from the Richmond authorities, in
default of which the President should
take such measures against the host
ages as might seem Necessary. Secre-
| tary Welles agreed with Secretary STAN
ton. Postmaster-G General Blair differed
from the rest, and simply wanted For
rest and the others hunted down with
the greatest energy. Attorney General
Bates agreed with the Postmaster Cen
eral, but would demand of the enemy
a disavowal or avowal of the act, and
upon disavowal the guilty Generals
should be demanded for punishment. If
| the enemy ayowed and justifiea,the act