Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-09-07
FORESTS Own Account OF the Pur.
suit and Capture Of Streight.

Late one afternoon, long after this, at tn,
moment when the entire Confederacy wa,
ringing with his pursuit aud capture Of Col
Streight, Forrest came into the editorial room
OF the Rebel, at Chattanooga, where thre,
or four old friends were collected and CAV,
US minute narrative of the recent campaign
His descriptive powers are naturally very
good, and on this occasion he was fu II of hi.
ts5ory, aud spoke with the enthusiasm and
simplicity of q child. He had pursued Col
Streighrs column, fighting every day, fol
neSr'y fort night over an almost barren
country, for over several hundred miles, and
with an inferior force, capturing him at last
by stratagem. ~ wasn't certain when de.
manded his surrendered which would have
to give in, him or me. But it was like q
game of poker; | called him on single
pair to his full, trusting to luck He seem.
ed at first to have very little confidence In
my hand, but said: 4 give you five min
utes. I've followed you and fit you for two
weeks, and now I've got you just where
want you. I'm tired OF sacrificing lives
and offer you chance to stop II. If you
don't warn you | won't be answerable fol
the consequences.
Streight was fairly bluffed He was in g
strange country. His adversary was known
to be desperate man. His command was
jaded. What could he do? If he stood oul
any longer and was mistaken he might bs
sacrificed. He surrendered and in few
minutes himself and his men were disarmed
prisoners under the escort of oue-fourth OF
their number. "Where 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 Rome, the mystery was removed and the
gallant but outwi;ted Indianian saw hi:
blunder.
1t was during the pursuit of Streight thai
an incident occurred which Forrest reported
with great satisfaction. The chase was be
coming excited and the Confederates were
beginning to be eager for its conclusion, wher
thev reached stream over which the enemy
had crossed in safety, but which had in tht
meantime, risen so rapidly as to be impass
BILE. Forrest rode along the banks bafilet
and angry, while the bullets from the othe
side spun through the trees and whistlet
about his ears. After vainly seeking fo
half an hour, he came to a cabin which
stood alone in the wilderness near the water!
edge.
There, as last resort, he inquired for
ford. A young girl ran out and said, n car
show you one If you take me up behint
you." The mother was very much shocked
but she continued, "rm not afraid. Your,
General Forrest, ard will take care of me.
"Hop, up them" said Forrest riding close Y
the fence. The girl bounded upon the horse
clung tightly to the Generals saber ant
sash, and away they rode, down the strean
and through the bush wood 10 the rattle O
sharp shooting and the whizzing Of minies
"What is that2 said the girl innocently a
one of these came near.
THAT" said Forrest, dis skeered bird
They reached the ford in safety, the com
mand passed over, and the General turnet
to his gallant little guide and asked what HI
could do for herr She replied that he
brother had been captured by Col. Streigh
and was prisoner In his hands; all she de
sired was his release. every well,' sal
Forrest, taking note of the name, two
shall have him by twelve o clock tomorrow.
1t was turned of eleven the next day whe
Streight surrendered. Immediately Forres
called for John SAMSON, who promptly ar
peared, glad enough 10 be relieved, an
wondering what could be wanted with hir
by his own General. 81 promised your sis
ter Emma," said Forrest, when the youn
man appeared, ito send you to her at twelv
o'clock to-day. Times nearly up. Take tn
best horse you can find and put out. Doub
lie quick now--marchr As related by Fol
rest himself with the earnest delight of hi
nature and in that quiet little editorial room
at the close of summer day, with all il
freeness about it the story was thrilling, an,
we at once resolved to make heroine ou
Of the little rustic, Emma SAMSON.
Subsequently she received grant Of Ian
and vote of thanks from the General Al
sembly of Alabama; but the remembrance
of that ride behind the most daring cavalr
leader of the American continent should b
worth more to her than all the grants an
resolutions which Legislatures have powt
to give. l know that Forrest looks bac
upon it with pride that exceeds the sens
Of the victory which it secured, and nevs
alludes to it without touch of the old fir
and q quick returning of the old FASH
Correspondence Nashailie Banner.