J. C. Pemberton to Charles S. Hamilton, November 12, 1862

Jackson, Miss., November 12, 1862.

The General Officer Commanding United States Forces, Memphis, Tenn. :

Simm: I am credibly informed that on or about the 11th day of September, 1862, Mr. William H. White, a citizen of De Soto Couuty, Mississippi, was inhumanly murdered in the presence of his mother and his wife near his residence on the Hernando and Memphis plank road, about 13 miles from Memphis; I am also informed that this murder was perpetrated by a party of Illinois cavalry (said to be the Sixth), in the service of the United States Government, and under the immediate command of one Captain Boicourt. It is farther stated that Boicourt himself inflicted the first wound upon the murdered man.

In view of the reported facts, I have the honor to inform you that, by direction of my Government, I have taken by lot from the United States prisoners of war captured by our forces the four whose names follow: James E. Gaddy, Company E, Sixth Illinois Cavalry; Bernard Collins, Company BE, Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry; A. W. Shipman, Company D, Forty-third Ohio Infantry, and Michael Hart, Company O, Sev: enth Iowa Infantry.

I am also directed to inform you that if the account of the murder be

true, retaliation will be made on prisoners, unless the murderers are yunished. . The case, sir, is very plainly before you; there is not a shadow of doubt that the account of the murder is true, and I await your decision as to who shall suffer the penalty.

I have directed Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn to forward this communication through flag of truce.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
{Inclosure No. 2.]