Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-27
Forests Own Account of the Pursuit and
.t Capture OF stT>At

fOlTesb OWN hCCUult vi tiio
.a Capture OF StrI>t.
correspon lence Of the Na~ sanner.l
Late one afternoon, long after this, at
the moment when the entire Confederacy
was ringing with his pursuit and capture
Of Col. Streight, Forrest came into the
editorial room of the Rebel at Chatta-
nooga, where three sor four of his old
friends were collected, and gave US
minute narrative of the recent Campaign
His descriptive powers are naturally
very good and on this occasion be was
full Of his story, and spoke with the en-
tbnsiasm and simplicity Of a child, He
had pursued Streighcs column, fighting
every day, for nearly a fortnight, over an
almost barren country for over several
hundred miles and with an inferior force,
capturing him at last by stratagem. 81
wasn't certain, when / demanded his sur
render, which would have to give in, him
or me But it was like game OF poker.
| called him on single pair TO his
full, trusting to luck. He seemed 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 sacri
6cing lives. and offer you a chance to
stop it. If You don't warn you | won't
be answerable for the consequences
Streight was fairly bluh'ed." He was
in a 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 mis-
taken he might be sacrificed. de sur
rendered, and in few minutes himself
and his mea we're disarmed prisoners un-
der the escort of one-fourth of their
number. Where is the rest of your
command, General?" asked Col Streight
Forrest smiled grimly, and made no re-
ply. Presently when they arrived in
the village of Rome the mystery was
removed, and the gallant but outwitted
Indianian saw his blunder.
1t was during the pursuit of Sheight
that au incident accurred which Forrest
reported with great satisfaction. The
case was becoming exciting and the Con-
federates were beginning TO be eager for
it's conclusion when they reached a
Stream over which the enemy had crossed
in safety, but which in the meantime
had risen so rapidly as to be impossible.
Forrest rode along the banks baffied and
angry, while the bullets from the other side
spun through the trees and wbistled
about his ears After vainly seeking for
half an hour, he came to a cabin which
stood alone in the wilderness near
the waters edge. Here, as a last resort,
he inquired for ford. A young girl
ran ont aud said Il can show you
one if you will take me up 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 For
rest, riding close to the fence. The girl
bounded upon the horse; clung tightly
to the Generals sabre SASH. and away
they rode down the stream and through
the brush wood, to the rattle of sharp
shooting, and the whistle of minies.
what that p said the girl innocently,
as one of these came very near. THAT,
said Forrest, rs a skeered bird " They
reached the ford in safety the command
passed over, and the General turned TO
his gallant little guide aud asked what he
conld do for her. She replied that her
brother had been captured by Colonel
Streight and was prisoner in his hands;
all she desired was his release Very
WE'LL" said Forrest, taking note If the
name, you shall have him by twelve
0 clock tomorrow.
1t was turned of eleven the next day
when Streight surrendered Immediately
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.
II promised your sister Emma" said
Forrest, when the young man appeared,
ito send you to her at twelve o clock to-
day. Times nearly up. Take the best
horse you can find and pat ont Double
quick now-marchf' As related by
Forrest himself, with the earnest delight
Of bis nature aud in that quiet little edi-
torial room at theclose Of a summer day,
with all its freshness about it, the story
was thrilling, aud we at once resolved TO
make heroine out Of the rustic, Emma
SAMSON. Subsequently she received
grant of land and vote of thanks from
the General Assembly Of Alabama but
the remembrance Of that ride behind the
most daring cavalry leader Of the Amer
lean continent, should be more worth TO
her than all the grants and resolutions
which Legislatures have power to give.
know that Forrest looks back upon it
with pride that exceeds the sense OF
the victory which it secured, and never
alludes TO it without a touch of the old
fire and quick returning of the old
fash. ~