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[26]

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 seven thousand to ten thousand men.

Question. Is there any thing 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 afterward 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, Thirteenth 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 first 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 awhile, and then said he would not surrender. They continued to fight awhile; 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 set 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, Thirteenth 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?

Van Nostrand. New York, New York. 1862.

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