Reports of the Committee on the Conduct of the War Part 48

Question. Why was a garrison again placed there?

Answer. Major Bradford was with his command at and near Columbus and Paducah, Kentucky, in the early part of this year. Finding recruiting very difficult there, he applied for permission to proceed to Fort Pillow and establish his headquarters there, as he believed that he could easily fill his regiment at that point.

Question. It was then occupied rather as a recruiting station than for any other purpose at that time?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. Do you know whether it has been considered a military necessity to keep a garrison at Fort Pillow since the gunboats have been in the river?

Answer. It is one of the most important points on the whole river. It commands a very long stretch of the river, and a single well-manned field-piece there would stop navigation entirely.

Question. When the garrison was removed from Fort Pillow, was it in pursuance of any order from either General Grant or General Sherman?

Answer. I cannot answer that definitely without looking at the records.

_Papers forwarded by Lieutenant Colonel Harris to Washington._

HEADQUARTERS 16TH ARMY CORPS, _Memphis, Tennessee, April 26, 1864_.

I wish to state that one section of company D, 2d United States light artillery, colored, (1 commissioned officer and 40 men,) were sent to Fort Pillow about February 15, as part of the garrison.

The garrison of Fort Pillow, by last reports received, consisted of the 1st battalion 6th United States heavy artillery, colored, eight commissioned officers and 213 enlisted men; one section company D, 2d United States light artillery, colored, one commissioned officer and forty men; 1st battalion 13th Tennessee cavalry, Major H. F. Bradford, ten commissioned officers and 285 enlisted men.

Total white troops 295 Total colored troops 262 --- 557 ===

Six field pieces: two 6-pounders, two 12-pounder howitzers, and two 10-pounder Parrotts.

T. H. HARRIS, _Lieutenant Colonel and a.s.sistant Adjutant General_.

HEADQUARTERS 16TH ARMY CORPS, _Memphis, Tennessee, March 28, 1864_.

SIR: You will proceed with your own battalion to Fort Pillow, and establish your force in garrison of the works there. As you will be, if I am correct in my memory, the senior officer at that post, you will take command, conferring, however, freely and fully with Major Bradford, 13th Tennessee cavalry, whom you will find a good officer, though not of much experience.

There are two points of land fortified at Fort Pillow, one of which only is now held by our troops. You will occupy both, either with your own troops alone, or holding one with yours, and giving the other in charge to Major Bradford.

The positions are commanding and can be held by a small force against almost any odds.

I shall send you at this time two 12-pound howitzers, as I hope it will not be necessary to mount heavy guns.

You will, however, immediately examine the ground and the works, and if, in your opinion, 20-pound Parrotts can be advantageously used, I will order them to you. My own opinion is, that there is not range enough.

Major Bradford is well acquainted with the country, and should keep scouts well out and forward; all information received direct to me.

I think Forrest's check at Paducah will not dispose him to try the river again, but that he will fall back to Jackson and thence cross the Tennessee; as soon as this is ascertained I shall withdraw your garrison.

Nevertheless, act promptly in putting the works into perfect order, and the post into its strongest defence. Allow as little intercourse as possible with the country, and cause all supplies which go out to be examined with great strictness. No man whose loyalty is questionable should be allowed to come in or go out while the enemy is in West Tennessee.

Your obedient servant, S. A. HURLBUT, _Major General_.

Major L. F. BOOTH, _Com'dg 1st Batt. 1st Alabama Siege Artillery_.

HEADQUARTERS 16TH ARMY CORPS, _Memphis, Tennessee, April 26, 1864_.

A true copy.

T. H. HARRIS, _a.s.sistant Adjutant General_.

[Extract.]

HEADQUARTERS FORT PILLOW, _Fort Pillow, Tennessee, April 3, 1864_.

General: * * * * * * * * * *

Everything seems to be very quiet within a radius of from thirty to forty miles around, and I do not think any apprehensions need be felt or fears entertained in reference to this place being attacked, or even threatened. I think it perfectly safe.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. F. BOOTH, _Major 6th U.S. Heavy Artillery, colored, Com'dg Fort._ Major General HURLBUT.

HEADQUARTERS 16TH ARMY CORPS, _Memphis, Tennessee, April 25, 1864_.

A true extract from the last report received from Major L. F. Booth, 6th United States heavy artillery, commanding Fort Pillow.

T. H. HARRIS, _Lieutenant Colonel and a.s.sistant Adjutant General_.

Without application or requisition being made for the guns, General Hurlbut concluded to add two to the four already at the fort, and made the following order:

Special Orders,} HEADQUARTERS 16TH ARMY CORPS, No. 88. } _Memphis, Tennessee, April 7, 1864_.

III. Captain J. C. Heely, commanding ordnance depot, Memphis, Tennessee, will turn over to Major L. F. Booth, 6th United States heavy artillery, two 10-pounder Parrott guns, complete, except caissons, with 150 rounds of ammunition per piece, and will ship same, to-day, to Major Booth, at Fort Pillow, Tennessee. The quartermaster's department will furnish necessary transportation.

By order of Major General S. A. Hurlbut.

T. H. HARRIS, _a.s.sistant Adjutant General_.