ORs: Message from Gen. Kilpatrick to Gen. Wheeler

Headquarters Cavalry Command, and of Invasion.
In the Field, S. C.
February 22, 1865.

Major-General Wheeler, Commanding, C. S. Cavalry:

General:
Yesterday a lieutenant and seven men and a sergeant of a battery were taken prisoners by one of your regiments - if I am correctly informed, a Texas regiment-armed with Spencer carbines and commanded by a lieutenant-colonel. This officer and his men, after surrendering and being disarmed, were inhumanly and cowardly murdered. Nine of my cavalrymen were also found murdered yesterday, five in a barn-yard, three in an open field, and one in the road. Two had their throats cut from ear to ear. This makes in all eighteen Federal soldiers murdered yesterday by your people. Unless some satisfactory explanation be made to me before sundown, February 23, I will cause eighteen of your soldiers, now my prisoners to be shot at that hour, and if this cowardly act be repeated if my people when taken are not treated in all cases as prisoners of war should be, I will not only be allowed but encouraged to take a fearful revenge. I know of no other way to intimidate cowards.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. Kilpatrick,
Brevet Major-General, Commanding Cavalry.

Go back to the index of official reports.