I, James Lewis, private, company C, 6th United States heavy artillery, (colored,) would, on oath, state the following: I was in the battle fought at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, on the 12th day of April, A. D. 1864. The engagement commenced early in the morning and lasted until three o'clock p. m. same day, at which time the enemy carried the fort. The United States troops took refuge under the bank of the river. The officers all being killed or wounded, the men raised the white flag and surrendered, but the rebels kept on firing until most all the men were shot down. I was wounded and knocked down with the but of a musket and left for dead, after being robbed, and they cut the buttons off my jacket. I saw two women shot by the river bank and their bodies thrown into the river after the place was taken. I saw Frank Meek, company B, 6th United States heavy artillery, (colored,) shot after he had surrendered.
his
JAMES + LEWIS.
mark.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of April, 1864, at Fort Pickering, Memphis, Tennessee.
MALCOM F. SMITH,
1st Lieutenant and Adjutant 6th U. S. Heavy Artillery, (colored.)
A true copy.
J. H. ODLIN,
Captain and A. A. G.
[This evidence was received after the regular edition was printed.]
P. S. Since the report of the committee was prepared for the press, the following letter from the surgeon in charge of the returned prisoners was received by the chairman of the committee:
West's Buildings Hospital,
Baltimore, Md., May 24, 1864.