Bust Hell Wide Open by Samuel W. Mitcham

Author:Samuel W. Mitcham
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781621576006
Publisher: Regnery Publishing
Published: 2016-09-08T04:00:00+00:00

A fanciful engraving of the Fort Pillow Massacre, as it appeared in Northern newspapers. It seems clear, however, that several blacks and Confederate deserters were shot as they tried to surrender or shortly thereafter.

This surrender demand was in itself a significant concession by Forrest, because he agreed to treat the blacks as POWs. According to Confederate law, these men were property, not people; therefore, they should be returned to slavery. Forrest, however, now agreed to accept them as prisoners of war. This distinction seems to have been lost on the young major, however.

General Chalmers told Goodman: “If he [Major Booth] refuses, say to him, the men are in no humor to be brought face to face with the Negro soldiers who insulted their families.” This menacing statement also had no effect on Major Bradford. After a short time, he replied: “Your demand does not produce the desired effect.” He signed Booth’s name.

Forrest sent a second note, stating that he must have a “yes” or a “no.” He added that “if I am compelled to butt my men against their works, it will be bad for them.”

The Federal officers carrying the flag of truce responded by demanding proof that Forrest was really present. Forrest duly rode forward, exposing him to the ridicule of the garrison, which had now been drinking about three hours. Trooper Winik later recalled: “the cocky Federals openly taunted Forrest, daring him to try to take the garrison. It was the mistake of their lives.” They also taunted the Confederate privates, dared them to attack, threatened no quarter if they did, made faces at them, and made “insulting gestures” with their hands. “If you want the fort, come and take it!” they cried. “Come on, you dirty Rebels! Damn, what are you here for!?” This, of course, made the Rebel furious.

During the truce, several steamboats carrying Northern troops tried to land in the Confederate rear, despite the fact that the white flag flying over the fort was clearly visible from land and water. Forrest ordered Captain Anderson to take two hundred men to prevent landings behind the southern flank, while Colonel Barteux did the same to the north. When the men on the boats saw that the Confederates were ready to meet them, they withdrew without attempting a landing.

Later, this led to the thinnest war crimes charge ever leveled against General Forrest. According to the Radical Republicans, he should have allowed the amphibious assault forces to land in his rear unimpeded, because of the truce. In other words, it was legal for the Yankees to attack men under a flag of truce, but it was not legal for those same men to defend themselves. (The Northerners on the boats could clearly see the white flag over the fort.) This stretches credibility and common sense to the point of being laughable. They also charged that Forrest took advantage of the truce to improve his positions for the assault on Fort Pillow. This was also untrue. He actually diverted four hundred men away from the main assault forces.

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