Timeline leading up to the Battle of Plymouth

The Battle of Fort Pillow, on the Mississippi River in Tennessee took place on April 12, 1864.

On April 13th, discovery is made of a possible massacre due to the condition of survivors sent to hospitals and the manner of death of the recovered corpses. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest is immediately blamed and discussions of retaliation immediately begin. News of the massacre spreads rapidly by telegraph. On this same day in Kentucky, Gen. Abraham Buford attempted to liberate Confederate prisoners held at Fort Halleck. USCTs were serving as guards over the Confederate POWs. Buford was unsuccessful.

Daily National Republican, April 14, 1864. CAIRO, April 13. - The rebel General Buford sent a flag of truce at seven o'clock this morning, demanding the surrender of Fort Halleck, Columbus, Ky. The white soldiers are to be treated as prisoners of war, but no protection is promised colored troops found in arms. Five hours are given for the removal of women and children. LATER. General Buford's demand was for an unconditional surrender of Fort Pillow [misprint - should be Fort Halleck]; and it is stated, if the fort surrendered, the negroes would be returned to their masters, but if forced to take the place, no quarter would be shown them.

On Thursday evening, April 14, Frederick Douglass addressed the Twelfth Baptist Church in New York and states in part, "Quite contrary to the expectations of some, this horrible massacre at Fort Pillow has given an impulse to enlisting; and in many localities South, colored men manifest an eagerness for the chance to avenge their slaughtered brethren." Published April 29, The Liberator, Boston, MA. So far, I have not found that Frederick Douglass ever made any reference to Plymouth.

Chicago Tribune, Friday, April 15, 1864. FORT PILLOW. Forrest's mysterious purpose and movements have became unmasked in a manner too painfully clear. Fort Pillow has fallen. The attacking rebel force was led by Forrest in person and its overpowering numbers only gave it success after a sharp and stubborn conflict. The scene that followed the surrender will live when Sepoy atrocities [Indian Rebellion of 1857] are forgotten. These southern chivalry admitted to the work of carnage upon the prisoners stayed not from the work of butchery until nearly four hundred of our black soldiers were massacred in cold blood, together with all the white officers who could be identified as attached to black regiments.

The Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, VA, April 16, 1864. As a sample of the news from Cairo we give the following: "Two negro soldiers, who were wounded at Fort Pillow, and buried by the Rebels afterwards worked themselves out of their graves, and are among those brought up on the steamer Platte Valley. They are now in the hospital at Mound City."

Chicago Tribune, Saturday, April 16, 1864. FROM FORT PILLOW. Further Details of the Massacre. CAIRO, April 15. - It is reported that General Chalmers first commanded the Confederates at Fort Pillow, General Lee [misprint - actually Forrest], however, arrived just before the battle began, and assumed command. General Chalmers remarked to a Federal officer on the steamer Platte Valley, that it was their intention to show no quarter to home-made Yankees, (meaning Southerners,) serving in the Union army, and negroes, but that genuine Yankees would be treated as prisoners of war.

The Joint Committee on the Conduct of War hears enough evidence to pass a resolution to investigate the Fort Pillow massacre rumors.

On April 17th, the first day of the Battle of Plymouth, Grant wrote to General Benjamin Butler, who was negotiating a resumption of prisoner exchanges, that “the status of colored prisoners” was a priority. He ordered that Butler should communicate the non-negotiable demand that “no distinction whatever will be made in the exchange between white and colored prisoners,” and that “the same terms as to treatment while prisoners and conditions of release and exchange must be exacted… in the case of colored soldiers as in the case of white soldiers.” “Non-acquiescence by the Confederate authorities,” Grant declared, “will be regarded as a refusal on their part to agree to the further exchange of prisoners.” This resulted in the further breakdown of prisoner exchanges and sealed the fate of the Plymouth Pilgrims POWs.

The Cincinnati Enquirer, Monday, April 18, 1864. XXXVIII CONGRESS -- FIRST SESSION. SENATE. WASHINGTON, April 16. - Resolved, That the Committee on the Conduct of the War be instructed to inquire into the truth of the slaughter of the troops at Fort Pillow, and whether it could have been reinforced or evacuated; and that said Committee be instructed to report it as early a day as possible. Ernest speeches were made by Messrs. Howard, Wilson, Johnson, Conness and Grimes in favor of strict measures of retaliation, man for man, or two for one. Mr. Wilson stated that the Secretary of War had this morning received a dispatch from Gen. Sherman, placing the number of men massacred at 300. How the Massacre at Fort Pillow is Regarded by our Officers and Men. MEMPHIS, April 15. - There is not much said, but a gritting of teeth among the officers here, when the massacre of brave men of the garrison of Fort Pillow is alluded to. Several officers say unless the Government takes retaliatory steps they should consider it their duty to shoot every man of Forrest's command, taking no prisoners. The soldiers have threatened to shoot Forrest's men in Irving prison, if they could get a chance. This is generally believed.

Chicago Tribune, Sunday, April 17, 1864. THE NEWS. The curtain falls upon the Fort Pillow tragedy by the official announcement that the rebels, after killing fifty-three and wounding one hundred white troops, murdering three hundred black troops in cold blood, completely demolishing the works and destroying the town, have at last withdrawn to renew their merciless butcheries at some other point. But we trust there is to be a sequel to this tragedy. The matter is before congress and in both Houses has been referred to the Committee on the Conduct of the War, with instructions to investigate immediately. The horrors of Fort Pillow must be avenged, and the rebels must be taught a lesson that they will long remember.

The Daily Courant, Hartford CT, Tuesday, April 19, 1864 - President Lincoln made a speech at the inauguration of the Sanitary Fair in Baltimore last evening. He alluded to the massacre at Fort Pillow, and said that colored troops should receive full protection. – The outrages of the enemy, when officially proved to the government, will be met with just and even retribution. This sentiment was received with loud applause.

Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, April 20, 1864 - WASHINGTON, April 19. – The House to-day concurred in the Senate amendment to the House resolution, so as to read that “the Committee on the Conduct of the War inquire into the truth of the rumors attending the recent attack on Fort Pillow, and whether that post could have been sufficiently reinforced, and report the facts as soon as possible.”