IMPORTANT FROM KENTUCKY: Paducah Captured by the Rebel Gen. Forrest; The City Sacked and then Destroyed (3/28/1864)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 3/28/1864

[Homer_J_Simpson]

CAIRO, Saturday, March 26.

Reports were circulated here this morning that the rebels, under FORREST, attacked Paducah, Ky., 50 miles above here, yesterday, and burned part of the town; but as telegraphic communication is cut off, no authentic information could be obtained.

The steamer Ialan, from Nashville, passed Paducah at 5 o'clock this morning, and the Joseph Pearce, which passed two hours later, brings the following account of the affair:

Gen. FORREST, with an estimated force of 5,000, captured the place at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, sacked and fired the City. Col. HICKS, commanding the post, occupied the fort below the City with about 800 men. The rebels made four assaults on the fort, and were repulsed each time. Three of our gunboats opened on the City during its occupation by the enemy, much of which was burned, including the marine railway and the steamer Arizona, the wharf-boat. About three thousand of the inhabitants of the city, moved across the river upon learning of the approach of the rebels. When the Pearce passed at 7 o'clock this morning, the enemy had left, the people were returning to the city, and the fires were dying out. The amount of public and private property captured is unknown at present, but is supposed to be large. Our loss is twelve killed and forty wounded. From 150 to 300 rebels are reported killed -- among them Gen. THOMPSON. Twenty-five houses around the fort were destroyed by our troops as they were used by the rebel sharpshooters as a screen. The headquarters and Government storehouses were burned by the enemy. The Associated Press reporter has gone to Paducah, and will furnish the particulars at the earliest moment.

CAIRO, Sunday, March 27.

A dispatch from Columbus, Ky., says FORREST and FAULKNER are between that place

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Important from Kentucky: Paducah Captured by the Rebel Gen. Forrest – 2
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