The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-21

Imagination, he never met with disaster.
And if he could raid successfully he could
also cope with raiders on the other side, as
was shown in his running fight with a
superior force under Col. A. d. Streight,
of Rosecrans' army, in the spring of 1868.
Streight's expedition was fitted out to
dash across the Tennessee river, in north
western Alabama, reach the rear Of Bragg 8
Confederate army, then stretched in form
of an arch in southern central Tennessee
to cover Chattanooga, and there tear up,
burn and otherwise destroy railways, ma
chine shops, factories and provision depots,
or whatever else could be used to make
easy paths for the fighting men in gray.
1t proved stupendous contract.
The Confederates had force of cavalry
under Col. P. D. Roddy guarding the Ten
nessee where Streight was to cross over,
and heavy force of Union infantry and
cavalry was sent to the region to clear the
road for Streight. Roddy had about 500
men. Streight' force numbered LOO, and
his supports, under Gen. G. A. Dodge,
about 5000. In the emergency Bragg sent
Forrest with his brigade to unite with
Roddy and take care Of the plucky raiders.
Streight marched from Tuscumbia, Ala,
on the 26th of April, in a southeasterly
course toward Moulton. Gen. Dodge had
driven the Confederates beyond that point,
but he told Streight that Forrest was across
his path, and then left him to take care of
himself as best he could. The raiders
pressed on from Moulton toward Blounts-
vile, on Black Warrior river, and not until
the 30th, while passing through gap in
Sand Mountain, did they feel the presence
of any strong opposition.
Dodge's movement in strong force had
held Forests attention along the Tennes-
see river until Streight was nearly a hun
dred miles away, galloping on toward
Rome, Ga. Forrest at once prepared for the
pursuit He selected the lightest pieces OF
cannon, with the strongest harness and the
best teams, and started on the morning of
the 29th in the direction of Moulton. He
was about two days behind Streight, but
the friendliness of the people aided him,
and by swift riding night and day he
caught up with the raiders on the 30th at
Sand Mountain, and at once pitched into
their rear guard at the foot of the Mount
am Gap The Confederates had a pre-
ponderance of force at this point, but the
situation compelled their leader to divide
into two columns, one for direct pursuit
and the other to look out for the flanks and
prevent Streight from turning and doub-
ling. Forrest remained with the pursuing
party, which consisted of two regiments
and battalion and one battery.
Streight postet his men on ridge cir
cling to the rear ana awaited the attack.
Forrest moved up direct in front with two
regiments, and personally led thanking
party to gain the rear of the raiders should
they be driven back. The Confederate ar
tillery advanced boldly, and Streight's for
ward companies retired before it. The
Confederate infantry charged, but were
met with biting fire from concealed raid
ers and quickly fell back. Streight had
two mountain howitzers, also concealed,
and, sending confusion into Forests ranks
with these, he ordered charge, which eff
fectually scattered the whole Confederate
line. Two cannon, with caissons, and forty
prisoners fell into Streight's hands.
The pluck of the raiders compelled For
rest to call in his fianking parties. Streight,
however, did not wait to fight battle, but
took advantage of the hour TO continue his
ride southwark. Forrest again sent out
thanking column to watch for the return of
the raiders, and with two regiments dashed
on in pursuit. Col Roddy, with one regi-
ment and one battalion, was sent back
TO the Tennessee again. A running fight
followed, and Streight finally stood at bay
behind creek near Brownsville. 1t was
plain to the raiders that their trip to Geor- |
gia was not to be a holiday affair Their |
pursuers showed persistence and dash |
equal to their own, and charged the posi- |
ton again and again. The fight lasted !
from dusk until 10 o'clock p. NJ, and at