The regiment was paid off. During our stay in Columbus I
visited the fort where the rebel General Forrest massacred the negro garrison a
year before. I recognized it as the spot I visited in 1858, on my way South.
The boat I was on at that time stopped at Columbus to take on wood and I went on
shore. I noticed the high ground on the bluff above the town, and so, as was my
wont, I must go up and see it. There was a fine view of the town, and the
position commanded the river up and down for a long distance. I thought to
myself it would be a good place to build a fort, but I did not dream there
would be one there so soon, and that such a horrible tragedy would be enacted
there.
SOURCE: Abstracted from George G. Smith, Leaves from
a Soldier's Diary, p. 139
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