Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Chapter XXII: Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4-June 10, 1862.
Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Ed.

Sir: Am ordered to Grenada, to take command, organize, fortify, &c. My troops have all left; am remaining behind to cover their retreat.

My cavalry have not yet arrived from above.

Enemy captured 4 men this morning; fear they understand my situation.

General: Wishing to take the enemy farther into the interior, where I hope to be able to strike him a severe blow, which cannot be done here, where he is so close to his supplies, I have concluded to withdraw on the 30th instant from this place for the present before he can compel me to do so by his superiority of numbers. The evacuation of this place necessarily involves that of your present position, which you have so long and gallantly defended; hence I have this day telegraphed you that whenever the enemy shall have crossed the Hatchie River, at Pocahontas or elsewhere, on their way westward, you will immediately evacuate Fort Pillow for Grenada by the best and shortest route.

Should you, however, consider it necessary for the safety of your command to evacuate Fort Pillow before the enemy shall have crossed the Hatchie, you are left at liberty to do so, having entire confidence in your judgment and ability, not being able to judge from here of your facilities for reaching Grenada. I am of opinion, however, that he will venture slowly and cautiously westward so long as I shall remain within striking distance of him on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad at or about Baldwin. It may be well for you to know that the telegraph communication from there to Memphis will not be completed before a week or ten days.

Whenever you shall be about to abandon the fort you will telegraph the commanding officer at Memphis to burn all the cotton, sugar, &c., in the vicinity of that city, as per my instructions already communicated to him.

Yoi will necessarily destroy all Government property-arms, guns, [903] &c.-that you will not be able to carry off with you; and on arriving at Grenada you will assume immediate command of all troops there assembled, to organize and discipline them. Arms will be furnished you from the depot at Columbus, Miss., should there be any there. You might also throw up some light works (batteries and rifle pits) for the defense of that important position against a small force of the enemy.

I have thought it advisable to give you the above instructions in view of the probability that I may not be able shortly to communicate with you.

Hoping you may continue to meet with success in the defense of our cause and country, I remain, respectfully, your obedient servant,

General orders, no. 67.

The commander of the forces calls the attention of the army to the prolonged defense of Fort Pillow by Brig. Gen. John B. Villepigue and the gallant soldiers under his command. The defense was conducted with skill, vigor, and intrepidity. Week after week he and his resolute comrades in arms in open batteries kept back the enemy's superior land and naval forces, and when the purposes and designs of the campaign had been accomplished, under circumstances of difficulty which also attest the ability of the general, he brought off his command in the face of superior numbers with a success equaled only by the brilliancy of his defense. Such devotion to duty is worthy of appreciation and the approval of the country.

By command of General Beauregard: