Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1863-06-04
Col. Ssrsishts' Expedition and Cap


the officers, arrived at Camp Chase. Co.
lunbus. Ohio. on the 2sd ., parolsd
prisoners. From Sergeant Haggerty. Of
the T3l. correspondent of the Cincinnati j
Gazette learns some ,impo rant fparticu-
lars Of Colonel Streisht's expedition and
capture. which we copy below. Hereto
fore we have had no account of either ex-
cept through rebel sources; agfmsr i
! The expedition did not number over L, :
500 men, smonga which were two compa-
niss OF Alabama Cavalry At one o'clock
on the morning of April 9th. Col
! Streight and his force left Tuscumba in q
southeastern direction. The road was
very bad and it was only with great ;ffi
Guilty that they were able to proceed The
mules being none lot the best. proved very
troublesome. often throwing their riders.
which certainly was very scrions annoy
aace, IL nothing more. On tho way they
saw few rebels whom they captured With
ont much trouble. and among the number
was a Major. Al Dit. Hope. small place
near tile western border Of Lawrence
county. and about thirty6vc miles from
Tuscumbia. they conisca;ed large num-
her of horses ard mules. together with q
large quantity Of meat belonging to the
rebels, which lasted our men several days.
AT this place they encamped for the night.
much TO tho discontinue of rebel woma N
who endeavored to give our boys the ske-
daddling fever. by blowing horn to call
Van Dorn's forces. which she said were
near bv. to come and chastise the Yankees
for stealing her chickens. The old woman
finding that her labor did not produce the
effect she desired, she soon quietel down
and behaved herself afierward in becom.
ing manner. During the night our pick
cts captured several rebels, who were well
mounted aud armed. On the morning of
the 2Sth Col. Streight detailed three com
panies OF the 73l Indiana to proceed on
scouting expedition. which they did with
successful results. They were only gone
during the forenoon. but they obtained a
large number OF superior horses and mules.
and also destroyed an army train of twelve
wagons, which loa led with meat
When these companies returned to the
main command the line OF march was ta-
ken up. but only an advance Of ten miles
was accomplished without any event to re-
lieve the monotony oftbo country through
which they were now passing. The next
day at two o'clocb. A. NJ. they resumed
their course, which continued in q south
east direction. and before camping at night
they had taken quite number Of teams
loaded with corn and meat. which were be-
ing conveyed to the mountains.
Up to this time the enemy had not ap.
pearsd in sight of our forces with any con-
siderable strength. In truth. our men had
taken about ell the rebels who came with
in reaching distance. and they were not nu-
merous. But the next day. April 30,h,
demonstrated to the men the hazariness
of the expedition in which they were en-.
gagged; for the rebels had succeeded in gath
cring together force sufficient to Justify
them in making an attack on theraiders
Colonel Strcisht had encamp,d during the
night at a place not far from Days Gap
Our forces had just completed their break.
fast and were about to resume their march.
it then being seven clock. when their
rear pickets were attacked by force Of
rebels mum bering at least one thousand.
under the command of Col. Roddy. At
the spot where our forces were situated
two roads met. aud in so doing formed an
acute angle. 1t was anticipated by Col.
Roddy that when he reached this place
he would find Gen. Forrest in its vicinity
with his command Of cavalry. and thus
make combined attack upon Col.
Streight; bnt in this he was sorely disap.
pointed. for Forrest still had many miles
to make before reaching the point of rom
devious. Col. Straight soon saw that he
could have matters his owa way. so with
out hesitation he gave the command For
ward march, aud Thus give tho appear
ance Of retiring before the enemy. When
he had procceled about mile and half
he found an advantageous piece Of ground.
and he Immediately drew mp his men in
line of battle, with the 81 Ohio on the
right. the S0th Illinois the right centre.
the 5lst Indiana the left centre. and the
49, Indiana on the extreme left. By a
bold move. the enemy endeavored to turn
our left flank; but he made most disas-
trous failure. The I'D Indiana drove
him back with great loss. Col. Rodjy
had planted on our right battery. which
was successfully charged by the 81 Ohio.
The fight lasted about two hours, bu, the
rebels were defeated and made hasty re.
treat. According to their own ackEowl.
edgment. their loss was seveaty killed and
wounded. while onrs was not quite half tha,
number. Capt. Sheets. commanding the
5lst Indiana, was mortally wounded while
fighting bravely at the head Of bis men,
Col. Streight had horse shot from under
him.
The Union forces resumed their line oil
march. which they continued until o..
clock p. m, as they were passing through
Days Gap. Gen. Forrest. with six regi
ments Of cavalry and several pieces of ar
tillery. had re-enforced Colonel Roddy, and
had assumed the command. With hi,
four Thousand men, Gen. Forrest, withou
delay. started alter our forces, and a
Days Gap he came up with the rear guard
which was composed of the 81 Ohio. Al
attack was Immediately male. aud our ad
| vance. which was mile and a half in front
lost no time in coming to the assistance o.
their comrades. The fight was severe. ant
it lasted until dark when the rebels ceasee
firing and fell back considerable distance
II The l~.~ r H. ~obol. r.,