The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1864-03-17
Highly Interesting Report by Col. Streight.
WILLARD's HOTEL, WASHINGTON,
n q March "a 1894

I
WILLARD's HOTEL, WASHINGTON,
d. C. March I'd, 1854.
Hon. f. ". Kellogg, House Committee
on Military A6airs:
Dear Sir: Agreeable to your request,
| have the honor to report the following
facts in relation to the treatment of our
officer and men BY the rebel authorities.
1t is impossible for me to give you an
account of all the acts of barbarity, inhu-
manity, and bad faith l have witnessed
during my captivity, but will endeavor
to mention such instances as will give
you as correct an idea of the true condi-
t;nn nf A.- ---~. - 49,, -.~. -'o.-~,
Georgia, my command had become so
reduced by hard fighting and marching,
during the seven days previous, that it
was evident to me that we (about fifteen
hundred officers and men) would fall in
to the hands of the enemy and, after hold
ing ccuncil Of var with my regimeutal
copnanders, it was decided to capitulate,
md thus to secure the best terms posi-
BILE for the command as a condition of
surrender In accordance with this de-
cSion l met the rebel commander, Gen.
Forrest, under flag of truce when a
stipulation was entered into between him
and myself, whereby it was agreed that
my command should surrender as prison.
ers of war, on the following conditions,
to.wit:
l. Each regiment should be permitted
to retain its colors.
2. The officers were to retain their
side arms
3. Both officers and men were to ro-
tain their haversacks, knapsacks and
blankets; and all private property of ev-
cry description was to be respected and
retained by the owner.
The above terms were in a measure re.
spected while we remained with Gen.
Forrest; but no sooner were We turned
over to the rebel authorities than sys-
tenn of robbing commenced which soon
relieved us Of everything valuable in our
possession. The blankets, haversacks
aud knapsacks were taken from nv men
at Atlanta. They were also robbed of
nearly all their money, aud most of them
lost their overcoats at the above named
place. Here, too, the colors and side
arms were taken from US. My men were
tar9s9 into ! an enclosure without shelter
overcoats, as I have before stated, aRd
kept under guard for four days, during
which time most disagrceable cold storm
prevailed; after which they were sent for.
ward to Richmond and soon exchanged.
My officers were sent to Richmond af
ter stay of about ten days in Atlanta.
on our arrival at the rebel capital we
were all searched separately, and all mon.
eys found in our possession were taken
from US. For few days thereafter vo
were allowed to draw small sums of our.
money for the purpose of purchasing
food. But this privilege was soon denied
us.
then asked and obtained permission
,,v-r sores rslbel authorities for the officers
rom n.os 'as h, home a1'"s. f.. money, clothing and
y ',os;s;ons. s;Io The clothing and provisions
we're generally delivered to tho parties
'raerinr @ them, providing the p,ckage or
box containing them was nos ol'aon open
and riaed Of its contents betofal' reach
ed its destination; which was requentiy
the case; but in no case w'thiney Snowi-
edoe has the money been dl!vered to
.be owner. The retention OF lls money
after expressly agreeing to d.ver it, is
an act Of por6dy that beggars eeriptlon:
7 have repeatedly called the fent'on OF
the rebel authorities 70 'ne 'D' " my