The following official dispatch with reference to the capture of
Fort Pillow, sixty miles above
Memphis, was received at the General's office last night:
"I attacked Fort Pillow on the morning of the 12th inst., with a part of Bell's and McCulloch's brigades, numbering--, under Brig. Gen. J. R. Chalmers.
After a short fight we drove the enemy, seven hundred strong, into the for, under cover of their gunboats, and demanded a surrender, which was declined by Major L. W. Booth, commanding U. S. Forces.
I stormed the fort, and after a contest of thirty minutes captured the entire garrison, killing five hundred and taking one hundred prisoners, and a large and just of quartermaster stores. --The officers in the fort were killed, including Major Booth.
I sustained a loss of twenty killed and sixty wounded. Amongst the wounded is the gallant Lieut. Col. Wm. M. Reid, whilst leading the 5th Mississippi.--Over one hundred citizens, who had fled to the fort from conscription, ran into the river and were drowned.
The Confederate flag now floats ever the fort.
