The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-12-25
STREIGHT'S RAID.
An Exciting Dash Inside the EneEy's Lnes-Sur-
rounded and Captured.

DIST and Iod Ind, Sd ONO, SUth ILL.,, TWO
companies OF the I'd Tenn. (Union) Cav, and
two mountain howitzers, manned by details
from the regiments mentioned, and placed I'M
der command of Col. A. ID. Streight of the 5lst
The brigade left MnrfreesborO, Tenn, April 10,
1863 going to Nashville by rail, and from thence
BY steamers down the Cumberland River to
Palmyra, landing at that place. As many OF
the command were mounted as mules and
horses belonging to the regiments would mount,
and, by the way, some of the mules required
mounting several times before they tamely
submitted to cavalry work and the brigade
started on its march across the country from
the Cumberland to the Tennessee River, pass
ing through Fort Donclson, pressing into serv-
ice all animals fit to ride until the command
was mounted. Arriving at the Tennessee at
Fort Henry, the brigade was again put on board
steamers and sailed up the river two days, pass
ing the famous battlefield of Shiloh and land
ing at Eastport. From thence the command
mounted and took across the country, borrow
ing forage from the natives for both man and
beast, no date being fixed as to when the bor-
rowcd forage and horses were to be returned.
The matter has not yet been attended to, SO far
as the provisions and feed were concerned. AS
for the horses and mules they were left in the
care of the rebel Gen. Forrest to return, and
whether he attended to the matter or not we
have not been notified. The brigade met with
Gen. DOdge's command operating at Bear Creek
and vicinity of Tuscumbia, Ala, from which
aid was expected in the shape of horses and
equipments; but the aid was not received, from
some cause unknown to the writer, and the
brigade moved on. mounted and equipped imper-
fectly as it was. On Monday, April ~ at o'clock
a. m, a very dark night and drilling rain,
the command cut loose from all communica-
tions at Tuscumbia, and started for Rome, Ga.
travelling us lively as possible with the kind of
animals we were riding, and hating only when
rest and night made it necessary, meeting no
opposition of consequence until Thursday
morning. Just as the brigade had broke camp
and was again in line of march, bang! goes q
ride at the rear guard bang! bang! again and
again ring out, aud before the echo dies away
boom! goes the roar of q cannon and nothing
more is needed to tell to the advance that the
enemy is on the rear. Spurs are applied and
the brigade dashcs ahead with increased speed,
like flock of sheep fleeing from hungry wolves.
The rearguard, however, bravely and nobiy
hold back and keep at respectful distance the
enemys advance. On goes the brigade and on
comes the advance of the rebels, until about
three miles are passed over, when an open piece
OF woods is reached, where the ground is just
rolling enough to make good defensive posi-
ton. Suddenly the command dismOunts every
fourth man holding the horses (rather mules,
as most were); the animals are moved to the
rear, or what was more properly the advance
a few hundred yards, into a hollow. Quickly
the regiment is in line, and skirmishers are
thrown out and advanced. Soon the enemy
are in line and advancing. The skirmishers
fire and fall back loading and firing as they
come, until they have reached the line of bat
tie. The whole brigade is lying down behind
the brow of hill. The skirmishers do not
halt with the line, but move on back as decoy.
Slowly the enemy's skirmishers advance, their
artillery at the same time pouring shell, grape
and canister into our lines, our own howitZ-
ers replying in a lively and effective manner.
Suddenly there comes calm. The enemy
halted, formed his lines, and then like the hur-
ricane they come with all the speed of cavalry
and with the familiar rebel yell, while the
artillery on both sides are hurting at each other
their terrible missiles of death. Down through
a hollow and up over the hill come the charg
ing cavalry, when suddenly a line rises not
more than 70 yards i'll their front, and the voice
of more than thousand muskets command
halt. Quickly this is followed by another vol
ley, and the line of blue, with bayOnets fixed,
dash at the enemy and drives him from the
field The little howtZers have done noble
execution, telling the tops of trees on two of
the enemy's 12-pounders, and in the charge
they are taken and made to do service under
the victorious Stars and Stripes. The engage
ment is of short duration; the repulse of the
enemy is so complete that they show no signs
of renewing the conflict, and the brigade
lively little from the engagement. The next
few days following, however, the brigade Jared
somewhat differently.
Now that the enemy are in pursuit, and will
soon recover from the repulse at Days Gap
and with re-enfOrcements press on and renew
the engagement and desiring TO push ahead as
fast as possible and reach Rome if in his power,
with as little fighting as can possibly be had,
Col. Streght remountS his Brigade and pushes
ahead, leaving the killed (but few and those
too severely wounded to ride at the mercy of
the enemy.
The brigade pushes ahead the balance of the
day and all night, halts but 4 few minutes Fri
day morning for rest and feed, and again moves
on during Friday, meeting no opposition until
near evening. While delayed in the crossing
OF a small stream called g Crooked Creek " the
pursuing foe, re-enforced by Forests whole
command, again strike our rear, and press so
strongly that Col. Hathaway, commanding the
I'D and in the advance is ordered to dismOunt
his regiment and support the rear. Quickly
the regiment forms line and opens sharp volley
into the strong skirmish line of the enemy,
which serves to check him for a time, and
gives Col. Streight time to form his lines in
good shape. All is quiet for time, and it be-
gins to look as though the enemy had with
drawn. Col. Strcight orders Col. Hathaway to
remount his regiment (73d) and bring up the
rear and the regiment is just starting to exc
cute the order, when suddenly through the
now dim twilight and through the open woods,
at very close range the enemy open a very
heavy and destructive fire. The brigade faces
the on coming foe and the fight opens fercely
all along the line and continues for a consid-
cradle time until darkness coming on compels
cessation Of hostilities. Col Strcght slips his
brigade away under cover of darkness re-
mounts, and moves ahead with ali possible
speed, riding all night, hating but once, and
then to form an ambush for the pursuing foe,
who, however, keeps out of the trap. On goes
the brigade again, hating no more until Satur-
day afternoon, when feed and rest to both man
and beast are absolutely necessary. Finding q
favorable situation at place called Bloumt's
Farm " halt is called, the animals are fed, but
the brigade is drawn up in line to meet the
advancing enemy; sharp skirmish ensues
when the brave Col. Gilbert Hathaway, of the
I'D Ind, falls, and is borne from the field
mortally wounded, expiring almost immedi-
ately. Things now begin to look serious for
the communicated. Streight. Quickly he
details Captain Of the 5ist Ind. with 200 men
to go ahead and reach Rome if possible while
the remainder hold back the enemy as long as
possible. The detail pushes ahead and in Il
little while the remainder of the brigade draws
Oil from the enemy, remount5 and pushes ahead
toward Rene, riding all night. Sunday morn
ing we halt for rest and feed again, but are
scarcely in position for feeding when the attack
is again made on the rear-guard. We are soon
in line and ready to receive the pursuers when
flag OF truce is seen approaching. consulta-
ton reveals the fact that Forrest demands
surrender, explaining his advantageous posi-
ton and superiority of numbers.
L