Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Were you wounded there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. When?
Answer. In the evening, after I surrendered.
Question. Where were you?
Answer. At the fort.
Question. State what happened when you were wounded.
Answer. Nothing; only they were going around shooting the men down. They shot a sergeant by the side of me twice after he had surrendered.
Question. Who shot him?
Answer. A secesh private.
Question. How near was that to you?
Answer. About ten steps off.
Question. Did he say anything to him?
Answer. He commenced cursing, and said they were going to kill every one of us.
Question. How many did you see shot after they had surrendered?
Answer. I saw five or six shot.
James Walls, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. To what company did you belong?
Answer. Company E, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Under what officers did you serve?
Answer. I was under Major Bradford and Captain Potter.
Question. Were you in the fight at Fort Pillow?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. State what you saw there of the fight, and what was done after the place was captured.
Answer. We fought them for some six or eight hours in the fort, and when they charged our men scattered and ran under the hill; some turned back and surrendered, and were shot. After the flag of truce came in I went down to get some water. As I was coming back I turned sick, and laid down behind a log. The secesh charged, and after they came over I saw one go a good ways ahead of the others. One of our men made to him and threw down his arms. The bullets were flying so thick there I thought I could not live there, so I threw down my arms and surrendered. He did not shoot me then, but as I turned around he or some other one shot me in the back.
Question. Did they say anything while they were shooting?
Answer. All I heard was, "Shoot him, shoot him!" "Yonder goes one!" "Kill him, kill him!" That is about all I heard.
Question. How many do you suppose you saw shot after they surrendered?
Answer. I did not see but two or three shot around me. One of the boys of our company, named Taylor, ran up there, and I saw him shot and fall. Then another was shot just before me, like—shot down after he threw down his arms.
Question. Those were white men?
Answer. Yes, sir. I saw them make lots of niggers stand up, and then they shot them down like hogs. The next morning I was lying around there waiting for the boat to come up. The secesh would be prying around there, and would come to a nigger and say, "You ain't dead, are you?" They would not say anything, and then the secesh would get down off their horses, prick them in their sides, and say, "Damn you, you ain't dead; get up." Then they would make them get up on their knees, when they would shoot them down like hogs.
Question. Do you know of their burning any buildings?
Answer. I could hear them tell them to stick torches all around, and they fired all the buildings.
Question. Do you know whether any of our men were in the buildings when they were burned?
Answer. Some of our men said some were burned; I did not see it, or know it to be so myself.
Question. How did they bury them—white and black together?
Answer. I don't know about the burying; I did not see any buried.
Question. How many negroes do you suppose were killed after the surrender?
Answer. There were hardly any killed before the surrender. I reckon as many as 200 were killed after the surrender, out of about 300 that were there.
Question. Did you see any rebel officers about while this shooting was going on?
Answer. I do not know as I saw any officers about when they were shooting the negroes. A captain came to me a few minutes after I was shot; he was close by me when I was shot.
Question. Did he try to stop the shooting?
Answer. I did not hear a word of their trying to stop it. After they were shot down, he told them not to shoot them any more. I begged him not to let them shoot me again, and he said they would not. One man, after he was shot down, was shot again. After I was shot down, the man I surrendered to went around the tree I was against and shot a man, and then came around to me again and wanted my pocket-book. I handed it up to him, and he saw my watch-chain and made a grasp at it, and got the watch and about half the chain. He took an old Barlow knife I had in my pocket. It was not worth five cents; was of no account at all, only to cut tobacco with.
William L. McMichael, sworn and examined.
By the chairman:
Question. To what company and regiment did you belong?
Answer. To Company D, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Were you in the fight at Fort Pillow?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Were you shot after you had surrendered?
Answer. Yes, sir. They shot the most after they had surrendered. They sent in a flag of truce for a surrender, and the major would not surrender. They made a charge and took the fort, and then we threw down our arms; but they just shot us down.
Question. Were you shot after you surrendered, or before?
Answer. Afterwards.
Question. How many times were you shot?
Answer. I was shot four times.
Question. Did you see any others shot?
Answer. I saw some shot; some negroes.
Isaac J. Leadbetter, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. To company E, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. How long have you been in the army?
Answer. Only about two mouths.
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow at the time of the fight there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Will you state what took place after the fort was taken?
Answer. They shot me after I surrendered. I saw them shoot down lots after they surrendered. They would hold up their hands and cry to them not to shoot, but they shot them just the same.
Question. How many do you suppose you saw shot after they had surrendered?
Answer. More than twenty, I reckon.
Question. Did you hear of the rebels doing anything else to them beyond shooting them?
Answer. I heard of their burning some, but I did not see it.
Question. How many times were you shot?
Answer. I was shot twice, and a ball slightly grazed my head.
Question. Were you shot after you had surrendered?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Did you see the man who shot you?
Answer. I saw the man who shot me the last time in the side with a revolver.
Question. Did he say anything to you?
Answer. He did not say anything until he shot me. He then came down to where I was, and finding I was not dead, he cursed me, and said he would shoot me again. He was fixing to shoot me again, when one of the boys standing by told him not to shoot me again.
Question. Did they rob you after they had shot you?
Answer. Yes, sir; they took everything I had, even to my pocket-knife.
Question. You say you heard about the burning?
Answer. Yes, sir, I heard about it; but I did not see it.
Question. Did you see any of the rebel officers about while this shooting was going on?
Answer. None there that I knew. I did not see them until they carried me up on the bluff.
Question. Did they shoot any after they fell wounded?
Answer. I saw them shoot one man in the head after he fell.
D. W. Harrison, sworn and examined.
By the chairman:
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. Company D, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Were you in the fight at Fort Pillow?
Answer. I had been driving a team and acting as a soldier. I took my gun that morning and went out in line. They then wanted a train to haul some ammunition and provisions in the fort. The rebels were throwing balls around there. I kept hauling, I think five loads. The rest of the wagons would not go back after they had hauled one load; and after I had hauled five loads Iconcluded I would not haul any more. I went down under the hill and got with two men there close under a log. It was but a few minutes before the men came over the hill like sheep over a brush fence, when I saw white men and negroes getting shot down. I threw up my hands and said: "Don't shoot me; I surrender." One of them said: "Go on up the hill." I started, but did not get more than two steps before I was shot in the shoulder. I fell, and while I was undertaking to get up again I was hit in the body; and this arm that was hit fell over behind me. A rebel came along with a canteen, and I motioned to him and told him I wanted a little water. He said: "Damn you; I have nothing for you fellows. You Tennesseeans pretend to be men, and you fight side by side with niggers. I have nothing for you." About that time another one came up with his pistol drawn, and asked if I had any money. I told him I had a little, and he told me to give it to him. I told him my shoulder was hurt and he must take it himself. He turned me over and took about $90 and my watch. Another man, whowasa man, came along and brought me some water.
Question. Did you see any others shot after they had surrendered?
Answer. Yes, sir. One of the two who was under the log with me was killed. I don't know whether the other man was killed or not.
William A. Dickey, sworn and examined.
By the chairman:
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow when it was taken by the rebels?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. In what company and regiment?
Answer. Company B, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Will you state what happened there, especially after the fort was taken?
Answer. After the breastworks were charged I first noticed the colored soldiers throwing down their arms and running down the bluff. After the rebs got inside the white troops saw that there was no mercy shown, and they threw down their arms and ran down the bluff, too; and they were at the same time shot and butchered. I ran myself, but carried my gun with me down the bluff, and hid myself behind a tree close to the edge of the river. I staid there some time, and saw my partner shot, and saw men shot all around me. I saw one man shoot as many as four negroes just as fast as he could load his gun and shoot. After doing this he came to me. As he turned around to me, I begged him not to shoot me. He came to me and I gave him my gun, and he took my caps, saying he wanted them to kill niggers. I begged him to let me go with him, as I would be exposed there; but he said "No, stay there." He made me stay there, and would not let me go with him. Another man came along, and I asked him to spare my life, and he did so. I asked him to let me go with him, but he refused me and ordered me to stay with my wounded partner, who was lying in some brush. I crawled in the brush to him. He was suffering very much, and I unloosed his belt, and took his cartridge-box and put it under his head. Some rebels under the hill spied us moving in the brush and ordered us to come out. My partner could not come out, but I came out. They ordered me to come to them. I started after one of them, begging him at the same time not to shoot me. I went, I suppose, eight or ten steps, when he shot me. I fell there, and saw but little more after that. As I was lying with my face towards the river I saw some swimming and drowning in the river, and I saw them shoot some in the river after that.
Woodford Cooksey, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. Company A, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Were you in the fight at Fort Pillow?
Answer. Yes, sir; from 6 o'clock in the morning until about 4 o'clock in the evening.
Question. State what took place after the fort was taken by the rebels.
Answer. There were a great many white men shot down, and a great many negroes.
Question. That you saw?
Answer. That I saw myself.
Question. Were you wounded there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. At what time?
Answer. After 4 o'clock; after we gave up.
Question. How came they to shoot you after you had surrendered?
Answer. I can't tell; it was about like shooting the balance of them.
Question. Do you know who shot you?
Answer. It was a white man. He shot me with a musket loaded with a musket ball and three buck shot.
Question. Did you have any arms in your hands when you were shot?
Answer. No, sir.
Question. Did the one who shot you say anything to you?
Answer. I was lying down. He said, "Hand me up your money, you damned son of a bitch." I only had four bits—two bits in silver and two in paper. I handed it up to him. He said he had damned nigh a notion to hit me in the head on account of staying there and fighting with the niggers. He heard a rally about the bank and went down there. They were shooting and throwing them in the river. A part of that night and the next morning they were burning houses and burying the dead and stealing goods. The next morning they commenced on the negroes again, and killed all they came across, as far as I could see. I saw them kill eight or ten of them the next morning.
Question. Do you know whether any wounded soldiers were burned in any of those buildings?
Answer. I do not. I was not in any of the shanties after they were fired.
Question. Did you see them bury any of the dead?
Answer. No, sir; I was lying outside of the fort.
Question. Did they bury the white and black together, as you understood?
Answer. Yes, sir; they were burying pretty much all night.
Question. How many whites and blacks do you suppose were killed after they had surrendered?
Answer. I had a mighty poor chance of finding out. But I don't think they killed less than 50 or 60, probably more; I cannot say how many. It was an awful time, I know.
Question. How many did you see killed?
Answer. I saw them kill three white men and seven negroes the next morning.
Question. Did you see them shoot any white men the day after the fight?
Answer. No, sir. I saw one of them shoot a black fellow in the head with three buck shot and a musket ball. The man held up his head, and then the fellow took his pistol and fired that at his head. The black man still moved, and then the fellow took his sabre and stuck it in the hole in the negro's head and jammed it way down, and said "Now, God damn you, die!" The negro did not say anything, but he moved, and the fellow took his carbine and beat his head soft with it. That was the next morning after the fight.
Lieutenant McJ. Leming, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. Were you in the fight at Fort Pillow?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. What is your rank and position?
Answer. I am a first lieutenant and adjutant of the 13th Tennessee cavalry. A short time previous to the fight I was post adjutant at Fort Pillow, and during most of the engagement I was acting as post adjutant. After Major Booth was killed, Major Bradford was in command. The pickets were driven in just before sunrise, which was the first intimation we had that the enemy were approaching. I repaired to the fort, and found that Major Booth was shelling the rebels as they came up towards the outer intrenchments. They kept up a steady fire by sharpshooters behind trees, and logs, and high knolls. The major thought at one time they were planting some artillery, or looking for places to plant it. They began to draw nearer and nearer, up to the time our men were all drawn into the fort. Two companies of the 13th Tennessee cavalry were ordered out as sharpshooters, but were finally ordered in. We were pressed on all sides.
I think Major Booth fell not later than 9 o'clock. His adjutant, who was then acting post adjutant, fell near the same time. Major Bradford then took the command, and I acted as post adjutant. Previous to this, Major Booth had ordered some buildings in front of the fort to be destroyed, as the enemy's sharpshooters were endeavoring to get possession of them. There were four rows of buildings, but only the row nearest the fort was destroyed; the sharpshooters gained possession of the others before they could be destroyed. The fight continued, one almost unceasing fire all the time, until about three o'clock. They threw some shells, but they did not do much damage with their shells.
I think it was about three o'clock that a flag of truce approached. I went out, accompanied by Captain Young, the provost marshal of the post. There was another officer, I think, but I do not recollect now particularly who it was, and some four mounted men. The rebels announced that they had a communication from General Forrest. One of their officers there, I think, from his dress, was a colonel. I received the communication, and they said they would wait for an answer. As near as I remember, the communication was as follows:
"Headquarters Confederate Cavalry,"Near Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864."As your gallant defence of the fort has entitled you to the treatment of brave men, (or something to that effect,) I now demand an unconditional surrender of your force, at the same time assuring you that they will be treated as prisoners of war. I have received a fresh supply of ammunition, and can easily take your position."N. B. FORREST."MajorL. F. Booth,"Commanding United States Forces."
"Headquarters Confederate Cavalry,"Near Fort Pillow, April 12, 1864.
"As your gallant defence of the fort has entitled you to the treatment of brave men, (or something to that effect,) I now demand an unconditional surrender of your force, at the same time assuring you that they will be treated as prisoners of war. I have received a fresh supply of ammunition, and can easily take your position.
"N. B. FORREST.
"MajorL. F. Booth,"Commanding United States Forces."
I took this message back to the fort. Major Bradford replied that he desired an hour for consultation and consideration with his officers, and the officers of the gunboat. I took out this communication to them, and they carried it back to General Forrest. In a few minutes another flag of truce appeared, and I went out to meet it. Some one said, when they handed the communication to me, "That gives you 20 minutes to surrender; I am General Forrest." I took it back. The substance of it was: "Twenty minutes will be given you to take your men outside of the fort. If in that time they are not out, I will immediately proceed to assault your works," or something of that kind. To this Major Bradford replied: "I will not surrender." I took it out in a sealed envelope, and gave it to him. The general opened it and read it. Nothing was said; we simply saluted, and they went their way, and I returned back into the fort.
Almost instantly the firing began again. We mistrusted, while this flag of truce was going on, that they were taking horses out at a camp we had. It was mentioned to them, the last time that this and other movements excited our suspicion, that they were moving their troops. They said that they had noticed it themselves, and had it stopped; that it was unintentional on their part, and that it should not be repeated.
It was not long after the last flag of truce had retired, that they made their grand charge. We kept them back for several minutes. What was called ---- brigade or battalion attacked the centre of the fort where several companies of colored troops were stationed. They finally gave way, and, before we could fill up the breach, the enemy got inside the fort, and then they came in on the other two sides, and had complete possession of the fort. In the mean time nearly all the officers had been killed, especially of the colored troops, and there was no one hardly to guide the men. They fought bravely, indeed, until that time. I do not think the men who broke had a commissioned officer over them. They fought with the most determined bravery, until the enemy gained possession of the fort. They kept shooting all the time. The negroes ran down the hill towards the river, but the rebels kept shooting them as they were running; shot some again after they had fallen; robbed and plundered them. After everything was all gone, after we had given up the fort entirely, the guns thrown away and the firing on our part stopped, they still kept up their murderous fire, more especially on the colored troops, I thought, although the white troops suffered a great deal. I know the colored troops had a great deal the worst of it. I saw several shot after they were wounded; as they were crawling around, the secesh would step out and blow their brains out.
About this time they shot me. It must have been four or half-past four o'clock. I saw there was no chance at all, and threw down my sabre. A man took deliberate aim at me, but a short distance from me, certainly not more than 15 paces, and shot me.
Question. With a musket or pistol?
Answer. I think it was a carbine; it may have been a musket, but my impression is that it was a carbine. Soon after I was shot I was robbed. A secesh soldier came along, and wanted to know if I had any greenbacks. I gave him my pocket-book. I had about a hundred dollars, I think, more or less, and a gold watch and gold chain. They took everything in the way of valuables that I had. I saw them robbing others. That seemed to be the general way they served the wounded, so far as regards those who fell in my vicinity. Some of the colored troops jumped into the river, but were shot as fast as they were seen. One poor fellow was shot as he reached the bank of the river. They ran down and hauled him out. He got on his hands and knees, and was crawling along, when a secesh soldier put his revolver to his head, and blew his brains out. It was about the same thing all along, until dark that night.
I was very weak, but I finally found a rebel who belonged to a society that I am a member of, (the Masons,) and he got two of our colored soldiers to assist me up the hill, and he brought me some water. At that time it was about dusk. He carried me up just to the edge of the fort, and laid me down. There seemed to be quite a number of dead collected there. They were throwing them into the outside trench, and I heard them talking about burying them there. I heard one of them say, "There is a man who is not quite dead yet." They buried a number there; I do not know how many.
I was carried that night to a sort of little shanty that the rebels had occupied during the day with their sharpshooters. I received no medical attention that night at all. The next morning early I heard the report of cannon down the river. It was the gunboat 28 coming up from Memphis; she was shelling the rebels along the shore as she came up. The rebels immediately ordered the burning of all the buildings, and ordered the two buildings where the woundedwere to be fired. Some one called to the officer who gave the order and said there were wounded in them. The building I was in began to catch fire. I prevailed upon one of our soldiers who had not been hurt much to draw me out, and I think others got the rest out. They drew us down a little way, in a sort of gulley, and we lay there in the hot sun without water or anything.
About this time a squad of rebels came around, it would seem for the purpose of murdering what negroes they could find. They began to shoot the wounded negroes all around there, interspersed with the whites. I was lying a little way from a wounded negro, when a secesh soldier came up to him and said: "What in hell are you doing here?" The colored soldier said he wanted to get on the gunboat. The secesh soldier said: "You want to fight us again, do you? Damn you, I'll teach you," and drew up his gun and shot him dead. Another negro was standing up erect a little way from me; he did not seem to be hurt much. The rebel loaded his gun again immediately. The negro begged of him not to shoot him, but he drew up his gun and took deliberate aim at his head. The gun snapped, but he fixed it again, and then killed him. I saw this. I heard them shooting all around there—I suppose killing them.
By the chairman:
Question. Do you know of any rebel officers going on board our gunboat after she came up?
Answer. I don't know about the gunboat, but I saw some of them on board the Platte Valley, after I had been carried on her. They came on board, and I think went in to drink with some of our officers. I think one of the rebel officers was General Chalmers.
Question. Do you know what officers of ours drank with them?
Answer. I do not.
Question. You know that they did go on board the Platte Valley and drink with some of our officers?
Answer. I did not see them drinking at the time, but I have no doubt they did; that was my impression from all I saw, and I thought our officers might have been in better business.
Question. Were our officers treating these rebel officers with attention?
Answer. They seemed to be; I did not see much of it, as they passed along by me.
Question. Do you know whether or not the conduct of the privates, in murdering our soldiers after they had surrendered, seemed to have the approval of their officers?
Answer. I did not see much of their officers, especially during the worst of those outrages; they seemed to be back.
Question. Did you observe any effort on the part of their officers to suppress the murders?
Answer. No, sir; I did not see any where I was first carried; just about dusk, all at once several shots were fired just outside. The cry was: "They are shooting the darkey soldiers." I heard an officer ride up and say: "Stop that firing; arrest that man." I suppose it was a rebel officer, but I do not know. It was reported to me, at the time, that several darkeys were shot then. An officer who stood by me, a prisoner, said that they had been shooting them, but that the general had had it stopped.
Question. Do you know of any of our men in the hospital being murdered?
Answer. I do not.
Question. Do you know anything of the fate of your quartermaster, Lieutenant Akerstrom?
Answer. He was one of the officers who went with me to meet the flag of truce the last time. I do not know what became of him; that was about the last I saw of him. I heard that he was nailed to a board and burned, and Ihave very good reason for believing that was the case, although I did not see it. The first lieutenant of company D of my regiment says that he has an affidavit to that effect of a man who saw it.
Question. Have you any knowledge in relation to any of our men being buried alive?
Answer. I have not, other than I have stated.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. How long had your regiment been in Fort Pillow?
Answer. We reached there the 8th of February. There were no other troops there then, and we held the place alone for some time.
By the chairman:
Question. By whom were you ordered there?
Answer. By General W. S. Smith, chief of cavalry, and also by General Hurlbut.
Question. What other troops were there at the time of the fight?
Answer. Four companies of the 6th United States heavy artillery, colored, and a battery called now, I think, the 2d United States light artillery. It was before the 1st Tennessee light artillery, colored.
Question. What was about the number of our force there?
Answer. Not far from 500 men.
Question. Do you know what became of Major Bradford?
Answer. He escaped unhurt, as far as the battle was concerned. I was told the next morning on the boat that he had been paroled. I did not see him after that night.
Question. Do you know why you were left unsupported, as you were, when it was known that Forrest was in your vicinity?
Answer. I do not know why, unless it was thought that he would not attack us. I think it was supposed that he was going to make an attack on Memphis.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. What do you estimate Forrest's force to have been?
Answer. From all I could see and learn, I should suppose he had from 7,000 to 10,000 men.
Question. Is there anything further you desire to state?
Answer. I heard some of the rebels talking during the night after the fight. They said we ought to have surrendered when we had the opportunity, but that they supposed the Yankees were afraid the colored troops would not be treated as prisoners of war; and they intimated that they would not be; and said it was bad enough to give to the "home-made Yankees"—meaning the Tennessee soldiers—treatment as soldiers, without treating the negroes so, too.
On the morning of the fight there was so much hurry and confusion that our flag was not raised for a time; we had been firing away an hour before I happened to notice that our flag was not up. I ordered it to be raised immediately, and our troops set up vociferous cheers, especially the colored troops, who entered into the fight with great energy and spirit.
Question. How many officers of your regiment were left alive?
Answer. Only two, immediately after the surrender, that I know of. We had ten officers in our regiment, and eight were in the battle, only two of whom remained alive.
Question. Were those who were killed killed before or after the fort was captured?
Answer. I don't know of but one who was killed before we were driven from the fort.
Question. Was Captain Potter, who is now lying here unable to speak, shot before or after the surrender?
Answer. He was shot in the early part of the engagement. I have been told that Major Bradford was afterwards taken out by the rebels and shot; that seems to be the general impression, and I presume it was so.
Mound City,April 23, 1864.
Nathan G. Fulks, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. Company D, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Where are you from?
Answer. About twenty miles from Columbus, Tennessee.
Question. How long have you been in the service?
Answer. Five months, the 1st of May.
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow at the time of the fight there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Will you state what happened to you there?
Answer. I was at the corner of the fort when they fetched in a flag for a surrender. Some of them said the major stood a while, and then said he would not surrender. They continued to fight a while; and after a time the major started and told us to take care of ourselves, and I and twenty more men broke for the hollow. They ordered us to halt, and some of them said, "God damn 'em, kill 'em! kill 'em!" I said, "I have surrendered." I had thrown my gun away then. I took off my cartridge-box and gave it to one of them, and said, "Don't shoot me;" but they did shoot me, and hit just about where the shoe comes up on my leg. I begged them not to shoot me, and he said, "God damn you, you fight with the niggers, and we will kill the last one of you!" Then they shot me in the thick of the thigh, and I fell; and one set out to shoot me again, when another one said, "Don't shoot the white fellows any more."
Question. Did you see any person shot besides yourself?
Answer. I didn't see them shot. I saw one of our fellows dead by me.
Question. Did you see any buildings burned?
Answer. Yes, sir. While I was in the major's headquarters they commenced burning the buildings, and I begged one of them to take me out and not let us burn there; and he said, "I am hunting up a piece of yellow flag for you." I think we would have whipped them if the flag of truce had not come in. We would have whipped them if we had not let them get the dead-wood on us. I was told that they made their movement while the flag of truce was in. I did not see it myself, because I had sat down, as I had been working so hard.
Question. How do you know they made their movement while the flag of truce was in?
Answer. The men that were above said so. The rebs are bound to take every advantage of us. I saw two more white men close to where I was lying. That makes three dead ones, and myself wounded.
Francis A. Alexander, sworn and examined.
By the chairman:
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. Company C, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow at the fight there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Who commanded your regiment?
Answer. Major Bradford commanded the regiment, and Lieutenant Logan commanded our company.
Question. By what troops was the fort attacked?
Answer. Forrest was in command. I saw him.
Question. Did you know Forrest?
Answer. I saw him there, and they all said it was Forrest. Their own men said so.
Question. By what troops was the charge made?
Answer. They were Alabamians and Texans.
Question. Did you see anything of a flag of truce?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. State what was done while the flag of truce was in.
Answer. When the flag of truce came up our officers went out and held a consultation, and it went back. They came in again with a flag of truce; and while they were consulting the second time their troops were coming up a gap or hollow, where we could have cut them to pieces. They tried it before, but could not do it. I saw them come up there while the flag of truce was in the second time.
Question. That gave them an advantage?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Were you wounded there?
Answer. Not in the fort. I was wounded after I left the fort, and was going down the hill.
Question. Was that before or after the fort was taken?
Answer. It was afterwards.
Question. Did you have any arms in your hand at the time they shot you?
Answer. No, sir. I threw my gun away, and started down the hill, and got about twenty yards, when I was shot through the calf of the leg.
Question. Did they shoot you more than once?
Answer. No, sir; they shot at me, but did not hit me more than once.
Question. Did they say why they shot you after you had surrendered?
Answer. They said afterwards they intended to kill us all for being there with their niggers.
Question. Were any rebel officers there at the time this shooting was going on?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Did they try to stop it?
Answer. One or two of them did.
Question. What did the rest of them do?
Answer. They kept shouting and hallooing at the men to give no quarter. I heard that cry very frequent.
Question. Was it the officers that said that?
Answer. I think it was. I think it was them, the way they were going on. When our boys were taken prisoners, if anybody came up who knew them, they shot them down. As soon as ever they recognized them, wherever it was, they shot them.
Question. After they had taken them prisoners?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Did you know anything about their shooting men in the hospitals?
Answer. I know of their shooting negroes in there. I don't know about white men.
Question. Wounded negro men?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Who did that?
Answer. Some of their troops. I don't know which of them. The next morning I saw several black people shot that were wounded, and some that were not wounded. One was going down the hill before me, and the officer made him come back up the hill; and after I got in the boat I heard them shooting them.
Question. You say you saw them shoot negroes in the hospital the next morning?
Answer. Yes, sir; wounded negroes who could not get along; one with his leg broke. They came there the next day and shot him.
Question. Do you know anything about their burning buildings and the hospital?
Answer. I expect they burned the hospital after we got out. They said they would not while we wounded ones were in there. The hospital we were in was standing when I went down the hill on the boat.
Question. You don't know what happened to it afterwards?
Answer. I don't.
Question. Something has been said about men being nailed to the buildings, and then burned. Do you know anything about that?
Answer. No, sir; I did not see that, but I heard some of them say they drove the negroes into the houses and then burned them.
Question. Did you see anything about their burying them?
Answer. No, sir.
Wiley Robinson, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. What State are you from?
Answer. Tennessee.
Question. When did you enlist?
Answer. I think about eight months ago.
Question. How old are you?
Answer. Eighteen years old the 19th of next May.
Question. What regiment and company were you in?
Answer. Company A, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow at the time of the attack there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Were you wounded there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. State all about that; when it was, &c.
Answer. I was wounded once in the hand before I surrendered.
Question. Were you shot afterwards?
Answer. Yes, sir; six times. I was shot twice in the foot, twice in the legs, and twice in the hands.
Question. Had you arms in your hands when they shot you?
Answer. We had retreated to the river bank and thrown down our arms.
Question. What did they say when they shot you?
Answer. They swore at us, and then shot us.
Question. Did you see any of the rebel officers there?
Answer. Yes, sir; I saw some, who came round and told them to kill us all.
Question. Did you see them shoot anybody else besides yourself?
Answer. Yes, sir; I saw them shoot one white man close beside me.
Question. Did they shoot you after you were down?
Answer. Yes, sir; through the leg with a musket.
Question. Did you see any negroes shot?
Answer. No, sir; I did not see any. I fell after they shot me, and did not see much.
Question. Were you there the next day after the fight?
Answer. Yes, sir; they took me on board the boat the next day about ten o'clock.
Question. Do you know whether they killed any persons in the hospital?
Answer. I know they killed one of our company in the hospital. They said they fired into the hospital.
Question. Do you know anything about their burying anybody alive?
Answer. No, sir.
Daniel Stamps, sworn and examined.
By the chairman:
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. Company E, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. What was your position?
Answer. I was the company commissary sergeant.
Question. Where do you reside?
Answer. In Lauderdale county, Tennessee.
Question. What was your occupation?
Answer. I was a farmer.
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow when the fight was there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. State what happened there.
Answer. The first thing, I went out sharpshooting, and was out about two hours, and then was ordered in the fort. I staid there, I reckon, about an hour. Then I was called out by Lieutenant Akerstrom to go down alongside the bluff sharpshooting again, because the rebels were coming down Cold creek. We staid there all the time until they charged into the fort. Then they all ran down under the hill, and we went down under the hill too. I reckon we staid there close on to an hour. They were shooting continually. I saw them shooting the white men there who were on their knees, holding up their hands to them. I saw them make another man get down on his knees and beg of them, and they did not shoot him. I started out to go up the hill, and just as I started I was shot in the thigh. Pretty well towards the last of it, before I got shot, while I was down under the hill, a rebel officer came down right on top of the bluff, and hallooed out to them to shoot and kill the last damned one of us.
Question. Do you know the rank of that officer?
Answer. I do not. I can't tell them as I can our officers. Their uniform is different. I went round on the hill then. I heard several of them say it was General Forrest's orders to them to shoot us and give us no quarter at all. I don't know whether they were officers who said so or not. I don't recollect anything else particularly that I saw that night. The next morning they came round there again, shooting the negroes that were wounded. I saw them shoot some 20 or 25 negroes the next morning who had been wounded, and had been able to get up on the hill during the night. They did not attempt to hurt us white men the next morning.
Question. Were any of their officers with the men who were round shooting the negroes the next morning?
Answer. One passed along on horseback, the only one I saw. He rode along while they were shooting the negroes, and said nothing to them. I said, "Captain, what are you going to do with us wounded fellows?" He said they were going to put us on the gunboats, or leave us with the gunboats. He had a feather in his cap, and looked like he might have been a captain. I don't know what he was. He was the only man I saw pass that looked like an officer while they were shooting the negroes.
Question. Where were you when the flags of truce were sent in?
Answer. I was down under the bluff sharpshooting.
Question. Is there anything else that you think of important to state?
Answer. I don't know that there is.
James P. Meador, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. Company A, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Do you live in Tennessee?
Answer. Yes, sir; I am a native of the State.
Question. Were you in Fort Pillow at the time of the attack there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Were you wounded there?
Answer. Yes, sir; twice.
Question. When?
Answer. Once before I surrendered and once afterwards.
Question. Did you see anybody shot besides yourself after he surrendered?
Answer. Yes, sir; I saw lots of negroes shot, and some few white men, and I heard them shoot a great many. I was lying down under the bank.
Question. What were our men doing when they were shot?
Answer. They were begging for quarter when they shot them.
Question. Did you see any of them shot while begging for quarter?
Answer. Yes, sir; I heard an officer say, "Don't show the white men any more quarter than the negroes, because they are no better, and not so good, or they would not fight with the negroes." I saw them make one of our company sergeants kneel down and ask for quarter, and another secesh soldier came up and snapped his pistol at him twice; but they told him not to shoot him. I saw them shoot others when they were kneeling down.
W. J. Mays, sworn and examined.
By the chairman:
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. Company B, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Were you in Fort Pillow when it was attacked?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. State what happened there.
Answer. They attacked us about six o'clock in the morning. Sharpshooting commenced early afterwards, and kept coming closer and closer until the skirmishers were drawn in about ten o'clock. After that they made several efforts to gain the fort, and could not get the position. Under this last flag of truce they gained the position they had been trying to get all day.
Question. Did you see them moving their troops when the flag of truce was in?
Answer. Yes, sir; I showed it to the boys.
Question. What was the movement?
Answer. The place was pretty well surrounded, but they were not on the ground they had been trying to get all day. Under that flag of truce they gained the place, some 75 yards from the fort, and placed themselves under logs, with a better position.
Question. Are you sure this movement was made while the flag of truce was in?
Answer. I know it.
Question. Did others see it?
Answer. Yes, sir; two boys near me, who were both taken prisoners.
Question. Was anything said about it at the time?
Answer. We spoke of it among ourselves at the time. We remarked that under the flag of truce they were only gaining the position they had been trying for all day. I was shot in the charge on the fort. The place was then taken. I would not have fallen then, but our men after surrendering found no quartershown them, and they flew down the bluff and ran over me and kept me down for some time, until I bled so that I could not get up. I saw them shoot a great many after they surrendered. I saw them shoot four white men and at least 25 blacks, some of them within 20 feet of me, while they were begging for quarter. They pulled one out of a hollow log by the foot and held him, when another shot him close by me. There were two negro women, and three little boys, some 8, 9 or 12 years old, about 25 steps from me. The secesh ran upon them and cursed them, and said, "Damn them;" they thought they were free to shoot them. All fell but one, a little fellow, and they took the breech of a gun and knocked him down. Then they followed up the men that were trying to get away down the bluff, and some hours afterwards they came back searching their pockets. They came on back then, looking over them, and I saw one man with a canteen and asked him for a drink of water. His reply was to turn on me with his pistol presented and shoot at me three times, saying, "God damn you; I will give you water." But he didn't hit me, though he threw the dirt over my face. I concluded it was best to lie still, and didn't move any more until after dark, and then I crawled in with some of the dead and laid there until about 9 o'clock the next morning, when the gunboat came up, and I crawled down on the gunboat with a piece of white paper in my left hand, and made signs, and the boat came ashore and I got on the boat. The general cry from the time they charged the fort until an hour afterwards was, "Kill 'em; kill 'em; God damn 'em; that's Forrest's orders, not to leave one alive." They were burning the buildings. They came with a chunk of fire to burn the building where I was in with the dead. They looked in and said, "These damned sons of bitches are all dead," and went off. I heard guns the next morning, but I was in there with the dead, and didn't see them shoot anybody.
Question. Did you see any of the men in the fort shot after they had surrendered?
Answer. Yes, sir; I saw four white men and 25 negroes that I spoke of that were shot in the fort. The white men didn't commence flying from the fort, though they threw their guns down, until they saw there was no quarter shown them.
James McCoy sworn and examined.
By the chairman:
Question. Where do you reside?
Answer. When I am suffered to live at home I live in Tennessee.
Question. You don't belong to the army?
Answer. No, sir; but I have been with the regiment six months. The head officers were old acquaintances of mine. I once lived with Major Bradford.
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow at the time the attack was made?
Answer. Yes, sir; I was in Fort Pillow at headquarters.
Question. Will you tell us what you observed there?
Answer. About daylight in the morning part of the pickets came in and said the rebels had captured some of the pickets and were coming. I had not got out of bed then. Major Bradford was up immediately the alarm was given. I had had my hands mashed a few days before. Major Bradford told me I had better go on the gunboat, as I would be in the way because I could not hold a gun. I went on board the gunboat, and about sunrise the firing commenced. The gunboat immediately played up and down the river, where I could see everything going on at the fort. I could not see over the bluff. Major Bradford had a flag and stood on the edge of the bluff and motioned to the gunboat where to throw their shells. We had a great many guns on the boat, and about 20 used their guns all the time. The rebel sharpshooters would come over the hill and shoot at the boat and everybody that passed.
Question. Where were you when the flag of truce came in?
Answer. I was on the boat.
Question. What did you see?
Answer. As soon as the flag of truce came in the gunboat stopped firing. It was about 3 o'clock when it came in, and while it was in the enemy were creeping up constantly, sharpshooters and all, nearer and nearer. I saw a great many creeping on their hands and feet, getting up to the hill close to the fort. I don't know what was back of that. Some men in the fort told me that they had advanced and got close to the fort before the flag of truce was taken out. I saw them gathering around there all the time, and all that time they were stealing from the commissary's stores blankets and everything else they could get at. I reckon I saw 200 men climbing the hill with as much as they could carry on their backs, shoes, &c.
Question. Why did our officers permit that without firing on them?
Answer. The gunboat, I think, was almost out of ammunition and had nothing to shoot; and none of them supposed the gunboat would stop shooting, but she ran out of ammunition.
Question. Were you there until the place was taken?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. What happened after that?
Answer. About the time the rebels got over the fort there was just a cloud of them, our men in the fort running out. About 500 secesh cavalry, as well as I could see, came up and turned in to shooting them down just as fast as they could. I heard a great deal of screaming and praying for mercy. The negroes took a scare from that and ran down the hill and into the river, but they kept shooting them. I was not more than 400 yards off, on the gunboat. I don't suppose one of them got more than 30 yards into the river before they were shot. The bullets rained as thick in the water as you ever saw a hailstorm.
Question. Were those men armed who were shot?
Answer. No, sir; they threw down their arms.
Question. How many were shot?
Answer. I don't know how many. They lay thick there the next morning, beside those they had buried.
Question. You came back there the next morning?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. What do you know about their burying men who were not dead?
Answer. I don't know anything myself, only what I heard.
Question. Did you go up there where they had buried them?
Answer. No, sir.
Question. What did you hear about it?
Answer. I heard one of them say that he saw where a negro was buried, and saw a large mass of foam and dirt where somebody had been breathing through the earth. He brushed it off and saw a negro there still breathing. I saw one or two who looked as if they had been buried when they came on board. I heard one ask them if they had been buried, and they said "Very near it." I don't think they were wounded. One of them had been in the dirt. I don't know whether he played dead and was buried or not.
Question. Do you know anything of their killing the men in the hospital?
Answer. Not of my own seeing. Mr. Akerstrom was in his office down under the hill after the flag of truce was in, and made some signs for us to come to him. Since that time I have been told that they wounded him and then nailed him to a door and burned him up, but I didn't see that myself.
Question. When did you hear about this nailing to a building and burning him up?
Answer. Since we came up here.
Question. Were you on board the gunboat the next day when some of the rebel officers came on board?
Answer. I was on board the Platte Valley.
Question. Did they come with a flag of truce?
Answer. A flag of truce was hoisted, and when we got in to the shore some of the rebel officers came on board the Platte Valley.
Question. How were they received by our officers?
Answer. Just as though there had been no fight. Some of the officers on the Platte Valley took one of the rebel officers up to the bar and treated him, and some would ask the rebel officers what made them treat our men as they did. He said they intended to treat all home-made Yankees just as they did the negroes. I went to Captain Marshall and asked him to let me shoot him. He said that the flag of truce was up, and it would be against the rules of war to shoot him.
Question. Do you know what officers treated him?
Answer. I don't know; they were all strangers to me. The gunboat first landed, and then the transport Platte Valley came up and took the prisoners, and then another boat came up and laid alongside of her. The three lay there together.
Question. Do you know of anything further on the subject that is important?
Answer. I don't think of anything now.
William E. Johnson, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. To what regiment do you belong?
Answer. I am a sergeant of company B, of the 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow at the time of the attack there?
Answer. No, sir; I was at Memphis. I came up to Fort Pillow the morning after the fight, on the Platte Valley, within some six or eight miles below Fort Pillow, and then got on the gunboat 28.
Question. Did you go on shore at Fort Pillow?
Answer. No, sir; I saw some of the rebel officers come down and go on board the Platte Valley; and some of our officers were drinking with them, and making very free with them. I did not particularly notice what rank, but I took them to be captains and lieutenants.
Question. Did you hear the conversation between them?
Answer. They were making very free with one another, joking, talking, and running on. I did not feel right to see such going on, and did not go about them.
John W. Shelton, sworn and examined.
By the chairman:
Question. Where were you raised?
Answer. I was born in Arkansas, but raised principally in Tennessee.
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. Company E, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow when the attack was made there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Were you wounded there?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Before or after the surrender?
Answer. It was after I surrendered.
Question. Where were you when you were shot?
Answer. I was under the hill, going up the hill.
Question. What did they say when they shot you?
Answer. I asked them if they did not respect prisoners of war; they said"no, they did not," and kept on shooting; and they popped three or four caps in my face with a revolver after they had wounded me.
Question. Did you see them shoot any others after they had surrendered?
Answer. Yes, sir, lots of them; negroes and white men both. They shot them down wherever they came to them.
Question. Were you there the next day after the battle?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Did you see them shoot anybody the next day?
Answer. I saw them shoot negroes, not white men.
Question. How many did you see them shoot that day?
Answer. I saw them shoot five or six on the hill where I was; they said they shot all they could find.
Question. Were you in the hospital there?
Answer. I was in a house there with the wounded.
Question. Did you see them kill anybody there that was wounded?
Answer. They took two negroes out and shot them.
Question. Did you see them burn any buildings the wounded were in?
Answer. Not the one we were in. I was told they fired some buildings that wounded negroes were in.
Question. Were you where they buried any of the killed?
Answer. I saw them bury some in a ditch in the evening.
Question. Did they separate the whites from the blacks?
Answer. I cannot tell; I was not close enough. I saw them carry them there and throw them in the ditch.
Question. Did you hear anything about their nailing a man to a building and then setting it on fire?
Answer. I heard of it, but did not see it.
Question. When did you hear of it?
Answer. After I came up here.
John F. Ray, sworn and examined.
By Mr. Gooch:
Question. To what company and regiment do you belong?
Answer. Company B, 13th Tennessee cavalry.
Question. Were you at Fort Pillow when it was attacked?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. At what time were you wounded?
Answer. I was wounded about 2 o'clock, after the rebels got in the breastworks.
Question. Was it before or after you had surrendered?
Answer. It was after I threw down my gun, as they all started to run.
Question. Will you state what you saw there?
Answer. After I surrendered they shot down a great many white fellows right close to me—ten or twelve, I suppose—and a great many negroes, too.
Question. How long did they keep shooting our men after they surrendered?
Answer. I heard guns away after dark shooting all that evening, somewhere; they kept up a regular fire for a long time, and then I heard the guns once in a while.
Question. Did you see any one shot the next day?
Answer. I did not; I was in a house, and could not get up at all.
Question. Do you know what became of the quartermaster of your regiment, Lieutenant Akerstrom?
Answer. He was shot by the side of me.
Question. Was he killed?
Answer. I thought so at the time; he fell on his face. He was shot in the forehead, and I thought he was killed. I heard afterwards he was not.
Question. Did you notice anything that took place while the flag of truce was in?
Answer. I saw the rebels slipping up and getting in the ditch along our breastworks.
Question. How near did they come up?
Answer. They were right at us; right across from the breastworks. I asked them what they were slipping up there for. They made answer that they knew their business.
Question. Are you sure this was done while the flag of truce was in?
Answer. Yes, sir. There was no firing; we could see all around; we could see them moving up all around in large force.
Question. Was anything said about it except what you said to the rebels?
Answer. I heard all our boys talking about it. I heard some of our officers remark, as they saw it coming, that the white flag was a bad thing; that they were slipping on us. I believe it was Lieutenant Akerstrom that I heard say it was against the rules of war for them to come up in that way.
Question. To whom did he say that?
Answer. To those fellows coming up; they had officers with them.
Question. Was Lieutenant Akerstrom shot before or after he had surrendered?
Answer. About two minutes after the flag of truce went back, during the action.