Sworn to before me at Cairo, Illinois, this 17th day of April, 1864.
JNO. H. MUNROE,
_Captain and A. A. Gen'l_.
A true copy.
C. B. SMITH,
_Lieutenant and A. D. C._
* * * * *
_Statement of Ann Jane Rufin._
I am the wife of Thomas Rufin, a member of the 13th Tennessee cavalry;
was at Fort Pillow on Tuesday, the 12th day of April, A. D. 1864, and
was removed to an island during the progress of the battle. Returned to
Fort Pillow on Wednesday morning, the 13th of April, and saw the remains
of a man lying upon the back, its arms outstretched, with some planks
under it. The man had to all appearances been nailed to the side of the
house, and then the building set on fire. I am satisfied that the body
was that of Lieutenant John C. Akerstrom, second lieutenant company A,
13th Tennessee cavalry, who was on duty as quartermaster of the post of
Fort Pillow. I was well acquainted with Lieutenant Akerstrom when
living. After examining the body I walked around to a ditch where a
large number of dead and wounded had been thrown and partially covered.
I saw several places where the wounded had dug holes and attempted to
get out, but had been unable to do so.
her
ANN JANE x RUFIN.
mark.
CAIRO, _April 18, 1864_.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th day of April, 1864.
ISAAC M. TALMADGE,
_Captain and District Provost Marshal_.
A true copy.
C. B. SMITH,
_Lieutenant and A. D. C._
* * * * *
_Statement of Mrs. Rebecca Williams._
I am the wife of William F. Williams, a private in the 13th Tennessee
cavalry, company D.
I was at Fort Pillow on the Wednesday morning after the fight of
Tuesday, the 12th of April, 1864, and saw the body of a man, which had
the appearance of having been burned to death. It was pointed out to me
as the body of Lieutenant John C. Akerstrom, of the 13th Tennessee
cavalry. I know it was the corpse of a white man.
her
REBECCA x WILLIAMS.
mark.
CAIRO, _April 18, 1864_.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th day of April, 1864.
ISAAC M. TALMADGE,
_Captain and District Provost Marshal_.
* * * * *
I, the undersigned, do certify that I also witnessed the same spectacle
described by Mrs. Williams.
her
NANCY M. x HOPPER.
mark.
CAIRO, _April 18, 1864_.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th day of April, 1864.
ISAAC M. TALMADGE,
_Captain and District Provost Marshal_.
A true copy.
C. B. SMITH,
_Lieutenant and A. D. C._
* * * * *
James R. Brigham, a resident of Fredonia, Chautauque county, New York,
deposes and says:
He was and had been a clerk in a store at Fort Pillow over a year
previous to the 12th April instant. On learning, early on the morning of
the 12th instant, that the post was to be attacked by the confederates,
he went immediately to the fort, and was engaged with a musket in
defending the fort, when General Chalmers was repulsed twice. After
this, I was detailed to carry wounded down the hill, on which the fort
was situated, to the river bank, where, beside a large log, I raised a
red flag as a sign of a hospital. The flag was made from part of a red
flannel shirt. The last attack was made by General Forrest in person,
who headed the column. Forrest was wounded in three (3) different
places, and had his horse shot under him.
Major Booth, of the regular army, was in command. He was killed about 11
o'clock by a sharpshooter, when Major Bradford, of the 13th Tennessee
regiment, took command. Major Bradford was taken prisoner, and killed
near Judge Green's, some six miles from the fort, while a prisoner.
When the confederates rushed into the fort, having taken advantage of a
flag of truce to get their men close to the fort in a ravine and
directly under the embankments, this force numbered some fifteen
hundred, with a large reserve in sight. As soon as the confederates got
into the fort, the federals threw down their arms in token of surrender,
and many exclaimed, "We surrender." Immediately an indiscriminate
massacre commenced on both black and white soldiers. Up to the time of
the surrender, I don't think more than from twenty to twenty-five had
been killed, and not more than fifteen wounded. I was taken prisoner,
and when marching with other prisoners, black and white, I saw the
confederates shoot and kill and wound both white and black federal
prisoners. Some negroes were severely beaten, but still able to go
along. We were taken a few miles into the country, when myself and a few
others got relieved by General McCullough, on the ground of being
private citizens. I saw General Forrest, and knew he was wounded, as
before stated. There were from twenty-five to thirty black soldiers
carried off as prisoners, and not over thirty to thirty-five white. All
the rest of that faithful and heroic garrison, some five or six hundred
in number, were killed or wounded in action, or murdered or wounded
after the surrender. I saw officers as well as privates kill and wound
prisoners, and heard them say, while held a prisoner with them in the
country, that they intended taking the prisoners still further into the
country, and make an example of them.
Captain Bradford, of the 13th Tennessee, was engaged with a blue signal
flag in connexion with gunboat No. 7. Captain Bradford was ordered shot
by General Forrest, who said "Shoot that man with the black flag." This
was after the surrender. His body was literally shot to pieces. All,
both black and white, fought manfully. I saw several negroes wounded,
with blood running from their bodies, still engaged loading and firing
cannon and muskets cheerfully. There was no giving way till fifteen
hundred confederates rushed inside the fort. Most were killed outside
the fort when prisoners. The fort was defended successfully for over
eight hours by from 500 to 600 men against 3,500 to 4,000 barbarians. I
heard confederate officers say it was the hardest contested engagement
that Forrest had ever been engaged in. I heard officers say they would
never recognize negroes as prisoners of war, but would kill them
whenever taken. Even if they caught a negro with blue clothes on
(uniform) they would kill him. Officers of negro troops were treated and
murdered the same as negroes themselves.
After lying in the woods two days and nights, I was picked up by gunboat
No. 7, some 5 or 6 miles below the fort.
On my return to the fort I saw and recognized the remains of Lieutenant
Akerstrom; he had been nailed to a house and supposed burned alive.
There were the remains of two negroes lying where the house burned. I
was told they were nailed to the floor. I also found a negro partially
buried, with his head out of the ground, alive. I went for assistance
and water for him; when I returned he was so near dead that no
assistance could save him. We sat by him till he died.
I can recount but a small part of the barbarities I saw on that fatal
day, when hundreds of loyal soldiers were murdered in cold blood.