Reports of the Committee on the Conduct of the War Part 54

"HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S CAVALRY CORPS, "_Near Paducah, Kentucky, March 26, 1864_.

"SIR: I understand you hold in your possession in the guard-house at Paducah a number of confederate soldiers as prisoners of war. I have in my possession about thirty-five or forty federal soldiers who were captured here yesterday, and about five hundred who were captured at Union City. I propose to exchange man for man, according to rank, so far as you may hold confederate soldiers.

"Respectfully, N. B. FORREST, "_Major General, Commanding Confederate Forces_.

"Colonel S. G. HICKS, "_Commanding Federal Forces at Paducah, Ky_."

In answer to which I sent the following:

"HEADQUARTERS POST OF PADUCAH, "_Paducah, Kentucky, March 26, 1864_.

"SIR: I have no power to make the exchange. If I had, I would most cheerfully do it.

"Very respectfully, S. G. HICKS, "_Colonel 40th Illinois Infantry, Com'dg Post_.

"Major General N. B. FORREST, "_Commanding Confederate Forces_."

With the above General Forrest sent a list of the names of the prisoners captured, (!) all of whom, with one exception, were convalescents in the general hospital, and too feeble to get to the fort.

The following troops composed my command during the fight:

Companies C, H, and K, 122d Illinois infantry, commanded by Major J. F.

Chapman, one hundred and twenty men; 16th Kentucky cavalry, Major Barnes commanding, two hundred and seventy-one men; 1st Kentucky heavy artillery, (colored,) two hundred and seventy-four men, commanded by Lieutenant R. D. Cunningham, of the 2d Illinois artillery, making a total of six hundred and sixty-five men.

Opposed to this was the rebel force under the command of Generals Forrest, Buford, J. G. Harris, and A. P. Thompson, of six thousand five hundred men.

The casualties of my command were fourteen killed and forty-six wounded.

The enemy's loss, according to the most reliable information that I can obtain, was three hundred killed and from one thousand to twelve hundred wounded. His killed and wounded may be safely set down at fifteen hundred.

General Forrest admitted, in conversation with some of his friends in this city, that in no engagement during the war had he been so badly cut up and crippled as at this place.

Our loss in government stores was inconsiderable. The quartermaster's depot, a temporary wooden building, was burned, and in consequence thereof a small lot of quartermaster's property was lost. Our commissary stores, and most of our government horses, mules, wagons, &c., were saved.

In justice to the officers and soldiers under my command, allow me to say they acted _well_ their part, proving themselves worthy of the great cause in which they are engaged, and all deserving of the highest praise.

The three companies of the 122d Illinois were the only portion of my command that had ever been under fire before.

And here permit me to remark that I have been one of those men who never had much confidence in colored troops fighting, but those doubts are now all removed, for they fought as bravely as any troops in the fort.

The gunboats Peosta, Captain Smith, and Paw Paw, Captain O'Neal, were present and rendered valuable aid in sh.e.l.ling the city and operating on the flank of the enemy as they surrounded the fort.

A list of the names of the killed and wounded I will furnish hereafter.

Respectfully submitted.

S. G. HICKS, _Colonel 40th Illinois Infantry, Commanding Post_.

Captain J. H. ODLIN, _a.s.sistant Adjutant General_.

HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATES, _Before Columbus, Kentucky, April 13, 1864_.

Fully capable of taking Columbus and its garrison by force, I desire to avoid the shedding of blood, and therefore demand the unconditional surrender of the forces under your command. Should you surrender, the negroes now in arms will be returned to their masters. Should I, however, be compelled to take the place, no quarter will be shown to the negro troops whatever; the white troops will be treated as prisoners of war.

I am, sir, yours,

A. BUFORD, _Brigadier General_.

The COMMANDING OFFICER _United States Forces, Columbus, Kentucky_.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE POST, _Columbus, Kentucky, April 13, 1864_.

GENERAL: Your communication of this date to hand. In reply, I would state that, being placed by my government with adequate force to hold and repel all enemies from my post, surrender is out of the question.

I am, general, very respectfully,

WILLIAM HUDSON LAWRENCE, _Colonel 34th New Jersey Volunteers, Commanding Post_.

Brigadier General A. BUFORD _Commanding Confederate forces before Columbus, Ky_.

The following affidavit was furnished, at the request of the committee, by General W. S. Rosecrans, from St. Louis:

"HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, "_Saint Louis, April 26, 1864_.

"Respectfully forwarded to Hon. B. F. Wade, Cairo, Illinois, chairman congressional Committee on Conduct of the War.

"W. S. ROSECRANS, "_Major General, Commanding_.

"By O. D. GREEN, A. A. G., "_Absence of General_."

_Statement of Edward B. Benton, upon oath, relative to the ma.s.sacre by the confederate troops under General Forrest, at Fort Pillow, Tennessee._

I was born in Waltham, Vermont.

Question. Where have you resided last?

Answer. I was in Missouri engaged in furnis.h.i.+ng beef to the government troops on the North Missouri railroad until a year ago last July. I then went down to Fort Pillow, and have been there ever since.

Question. What was your business there?