of the nineteenth inst. is received, in which
you say "you are left in doubt as to the course the Confederate
government intends to pursue hereafter in regard to colored
troops."

Allow me to say that this is a subject upon which I did not and
do not propose to enlighten you. It is a matter to be settled by
our governments through their proper officers, and I respectfully
refer you to them for a solution of your doubts.

You ask me to state whether "I contemplate either their slaughter
or their return to slavery." I answer that I slaughter no man
except in open warfare, and that my prisoners, both white and
black, are turned over to my government to be dealt with as it
may direct. My government is in possession of all the facts as
regards my official conduct, and the operations of my command
since I entered the service, and if you desire a proper
discussion and decision, I refer you again to the President of
the Confederate States. I would not have you understand, however,
that in a matter of so much importance I am indisposed to place
at your command and disposal any facts desired, when applied for
in a manner becoming an officer holding your rank and position,
for it is certainly desirable to every one occupying a public
position to be placed right before the world, and there has been
no time since the capture of Fort Pillow, that I would not have
furnished all the facts connected with its capture, had they been
applied for properly, but now the matter rests with the two
governments. I have, however, for your information, enclosed you
copies of the official correspondence between the commanding
officers at Fort Pillow and myself; also copies of a statement of
Captain Young, the senior officer of that garrison, together with
(sufficient) extracts from a report of the affair by my A. D. C.,
Captain Chas. W. Anderson, which I approve and endorse as
correct.

As to the death of Major Bradford, I knew nothing of it until
eight or ten days after it is said to have occurred.

On the thirteenth (the day after the capture of Fort Pillow) I
went to Jackson, and the report I had of the affair was this:
Major Bradford was, with other officers, sent to the headquarters
of Colonel McCulloch, and all the prisoners were in charge of one
of Mc