Volume II Part 83 (1/2)

Your obedient servant, L. F. BOOTH, _Major, Commanding U. S. Forces, Fort Pillow_.

Major L. F. BOOTH, _Commanding United States Forces_:

I do not demand the surrender of the gunboat No. 7. I ask only for the surrender of Fort Pillow, with men and munitions of war.

You have twenty minutes for consideration. At the expiration of that time, if you do not capitulate, I will a.s.sault your works.

Your obedient servant, FORREST, _Major-General, Commanding_.

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES, } FORT PILLOW, TENNESSEE, April 12, 1864.}

Major-General FORREST, _Commanding Confederate Forces_:

GENERAL: Your second demand for the surrender of my forces is received. Your demand will not be complied with.

Your obedient servant, L. F. BOOTH, Major, _Commanding U. S. Forces, Fort Pillow_.

I give you the above for your own satisfaction from memory. I think it is true in substance. My present condition would preclude the idea of this being an official statement.

I am, Colonel, your obedient servant, JOHN T. YOUNG, _Captain, Company A, Twenty-fourth Mo. Inf. Vols_.

CAPTAIN J. T. YOUNG TO MAJOR-GENERAL FORREST.

CAHABA, ALABAMA, May 19, 1864.

Major-General FORREST, _C. S. A._:

GENERAL: Your request, made through Judge P. T. Scroggs, that I should make a statement of the treatment of the Federal dead and wounded at Fort Pillow, has been made known to me. Details from Federal prisoners were made to collect the dead and wounded. The dead were buried by their surviving comrades. I saw no ill treatment of their wounded on the evening of the battle, or next morning. My friend, Lieutenant Leaming, Adjutant Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, was left wounded in the sutler's store near the fort, also a lieutenant Sixth U. S. Artillery; both were alive next morning, and sent on board U. S. transport, among many other wounded. Among the wounded were some colored troops--I don't know how many.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. T. YOUNG, _Captain, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteers_.

P. S.--I have examined a report said to be made by Captain Anderson (of) A. D. C. to Major-General Forrest, appendix to General Forrest's report, in regard to making disposition of Federal wounded left on the field at Fort Pillow, and think it is correct. I accompanied Captain Anderson, on the day succeeding the battle, to Fort Pillow, for the purpose above mentioned.

JOHN T. YOUNG, _Captain, Twenty-fourth Missouri Volunteers_.

A true copy.

SAMUEL DONALSON, Lieutenant and _A. D. C._ Official, HENRY B. LEE, _A.D.C._

GENERAL WASHBURN TO GENERAL FORREST.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, } MEMPHIS, TENN., July 2, 1864. }

Major-General N. B. FORREST, _Commanding Confederate Forces, near Tupelo_:

GENERAL: Your communications of the twentieth and twenty-third ult. are received. Of the tone and temper of both I do not complain. The desperate fortunes of a bad cause excuse much irritation of temper, and I pa.s.s it by. Indeed, I received it as a favorable augury, and as evidence that you are not indifferent to the opinions of the civilized world.

In regard to the Fort Pillow affair, it is useless to prolong the discussion.