Part 54 (1/2)

”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.