The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-07-19
Correspondence Of the Nashville Banner.
A Dashing Exploit.
FORESTS OWN ACCOUNT OF THE PURSUIT
AND CAPTURE OF sTREIGHT.

AND CAPTURE OF sTREIGHT.
Late one afternoon, long after this, at
the moment whom the entire Confederacy
was ringing with his pursuit and capture
of Col Streight, Forrest came into the
editorial room of the Rebel at Chattanoo-
ga, where three or four of his old friends
were collected, and gave us minute mar
rative of the recent campaign. His de-
scriptive powers are naturally very good,
and on this occasion he was full of his
history, and spoke with the enthusiasm
and simplicity Of child He had pur-
sued Streight's column, fighting every
day, for nearly a fortnight, over an almost
barren country for over several hundred
miles and with an inferior force, captur-
ing him at last by stratagem. 81 wasn't
certain, when I demanded his surrender,
which would have to give in, HIM or me.
But it was like game of poker. I called
him on single pair to his full trust
ing to luck. BE seemed, at first, to have
very little confidence in my hand but l
said: Il give you five minutes. I've fol-
lowed you and fought you for two weeks,
and now I've got you where 1 want you.
I'm tired of sacrificing lives, and offer you
chance to stop it. If you don't warn
you I won't be answerable for the conse-
quence"
Streight was "fairly bluffed." He was
in strange country. His adversary was
known TO be desperate man. His COM
mand was jaded. What could he do? If
he stood out any longer and was mistaken
he might be sacrificed. He surrendered,
and in few minutes himself and his men
were disarmed prisoners under the escort
of one-fourth of their number. "Wherc
is the rest of your command, General ?"
asked Col. Streight. Forrest smiled
grimly, and made no reply. Presently,
when they arrived in the village of Rene,
the mystery was removed and the gallant
but outwitted Indianian saw his blunder.
1t was during the pursuit of Streig hit,
that an incident occurred which Forrest
reported with great satisfaction. The
chase was becoming excited and the Con-
fcderates were beginning to be eager for
it's conclusion, when they reached stream
over which the enemy had crossed in
safety, but which had in the meantime
risen SO rapidly as to be impossible. For
rest rode along the banks bafied and an
gry, while the bullets from the other side
spun through the trees and whistlcd
about his ears. After vainly seeking for
half an hour. he came to cabin which
stood alone in the wilderness near the
waters edge. Here, as last resort, he
inquired for ford. A young girl ran out
and said, II can show you one if you take
me behind you" The mother was very
much shocked, but the girl continued,
"I'm not afraid You're General Forrest,
and will take care Of me-" "Hop up," }"
then, said Forrest, riding close to the
fence. The girl bounded upon the horse,
hung tightly to the Generals sabre sash,
and away they rode. down tho stream
and through the bush wood, to the rattle
of sharpshooting and the whizzing of
minnies. "What's that?" said the girl
innocently, as one of them came very
near. "That," said Forrest, "is a scared
bird" They reached the ford in safety,
the command passed over, and the Gen.
eral turned to his'gallant little guide and
asked what he could do for her? She re-
piled that her brother had been captured
by Col. Streight. and was a prisoner in
his hands; all that she desired was his
release. every we'll" said Forrest, taking
note of the name, "you shall have him
by twelve o'clock tomorrow"
1t was turned Of IL o'clock the next
day when Streight surrendered. Imme-
diately Forrest called for John SAMSON,
who promptly appeared, glad enough to
be relieved, and wondering what could
be wanted with him by his own General
~ promised your sister Emma" said For
rest, when the young man approached
"to send you to her by IL o'clock today
Times nearly up. Take the best horse
you can find and put out. Double quick
now-march w AS related by Forrest
himself, with the earnest delight of his
nature, and in that quiet little editorial
room, at the close of q summer day, with
all it's freeness about it, the story was
thrilling, and we at once resolved to make
heroine out of the little rustic, Emma