th, 36th, 38th and 2nd Cavalry Regts.], "numbering three thousand, in
close column, by division, right in front with guns at 'right shoulder
shift.' The center of the line was given to the eighteenth corps
composed of white troops, under Gen. Ord, and they drove the enemy from
a very strong work, capturing several pieces of cannon.

"Gen. Butler had been severely criticised by officers of the regular
army for organizing twenty-five regiments of negroes. 'Why.' said they,
'they will not fight' In contradiction of this assertion Butler made up
his mind to prove the worth and value of the black Phalanx.
Notwithstanding their gallantry at Petersburg and on the Fredericksburg
road, the metal of the 25th corps of the Army of the James was to be
tried; so Butler took command of the Phalanx himself with a
determination to set at rest forever the question of the fighting
capacity of a portion of his command. Addressing the Phalanx, he said,
pointing to the works on the enemy's flank, 'those works must be taken
by the weight of your column; not a shot must be fired. In order to
prevent them from firing he had the caps taken from the nipples of their
guns. 'When you charge.' he said, 'your cry will be 'Remember Fort
Pillow.'

"'Twas in the early grey of the morning, ere the sun had risen. The
order 'forward' set the column in motion, and it went forward as if on
parade--down the hill, across the marsh, and as the column got into the
brook they came within range of the enemy's fire, which was vigorously
opened upon them. The column broke a little, as it forded the brook, it
wavered! What a moment of intense anxiety? But they formed again, as
they reached the firm ground, marching on steadily with close ranks
under the enemy's fire until the head of the column reached the first
line of abatis, some one hundred and fifty yards from the enemy's work.
Then the axemen ran to the front to cut away the heavy obstacles of
defense while one thousand men of the enemy with their artillery
concentrated poured from the redoubt a heavy fire upon the head of the
column of fours. The axemen went down under that murderous fire; other
strong black hands grasped the axes in their stead and the abatis was
cut away. Again, at double-quick, the column went forward to within
fifty yards of the fort, to meet there another line of abatis. The
column halted and there a very fire of hell was poured upon them. The
abatis resisted and held the head of the col