t Fort Pillow, and during most of the engagement
I was acting as Post-Adjutant. After Major Booth was killed,
Major Bradford was in command. The pickets were driven in just
before sunrise, which was the first intimation we had that the
enemy were approaching. I repaired to the Fort, and found that
Major Booth was shelling the rebels as they came up toward the
outer intrenchments. They kept up a steady fire by sharp-shooters
behind trees and logs and high knolls. The Major thought at one
time they were planting some artillery, or looking for places to
plant it. They began to draw nearer and nearer, up to the time
our men were all drawn into the Fort. Two companies of the
Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry were ordered out as sharp-shooters,
but were finally ordered in. We were pressed on all sides.

I think Major Booth fell not later than nine o'clock. His
Adjutant, who was then acting Post-Adjutant, fell near the same
time. Major Bradford then took the command, and I acted as
Post-Adjutant. Previous to this, Major Booth had ordered some
buildings in front of the Fort to be destroyed, as the enemy's
sharp-shooters were endeavoring to get possession of them. There
were four rows of buildings, but only the row nearest the fort
was destroyed; the sharp-shooters gained possession of the others
before they could be destroyed. The fight continued, one almost
unceasing fire all the time, until about three o'clock. They
threw some shells, but they did not do much damage with their
shells.

I think it was about three o'clock that a flag of truce
approached. I went out, accompanied by Captain Young, the
Provost-Marshal of the post. There was another officer, I think,
but I do not recollect now particularly who it was, and some four
mounted men. The rebels announced that they had a communication
from General Forrest. One of their officers there, I think, from
his dress, was a colonel. I received the communication, and they
said they would wait for an answer. As near as I remember, the
communication was as follows:

"HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE CAVALRY, }
"NEAR FORT PILLOW, April 12, 1864. }

"As your gallant defence of the Fort has entitled you to the
treatment of brave men [or something to that effect], I