Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-05-22


And il he could raid succ ssfully he could
also cope with raiders on the other side, as
wHS shown in his running fight with u
superior force under COL \. y. Streight,
Of Rosecrans' army, in the spring of lct3
Strei ght's expedition wiz lifted out to
dash across the Tennessee river, in north
western Alabama, reach the rear Of BTaggs
Confederate army, then stretched IN form
OF an arch in southern Ctrsrbl Tennessee
to cover ChattNuooEI, and there tear up,
burn and otherwise destroy railways, ma
chine shops, factories and provision dGpJ;.',
or Whstover else coIli be used to make
easy paths for the fighting u!cn in gray.
1t proved stupendous CONTRACT
The Coufcderutes had force OF cavalry
under Col. 2. d. Roddy guarding the Ten
nesSce where -tTVjGAt was TO cross over,
and heavy force Of Union infantry and
cavalry was sent TO the region 70 clear the
road for StreRht. lsoddy had about 800
men. StrciGht's force numbered LOO and
his supports, under Gen u. y. Dodge,
about 5000. In the emergency Bragg sent
Forrest with his brigade to unite with
Roidy and take care Of the plucky raiders.
Streeat marched from Tuscumbia Ala,
on the 10Th of April, in II southe,tsterly
course toward Moulton. Gen. Dodge had
driven the Confelerates beyond that point,
but he told Streightthat Forrest WAS across
his path, and then LEFT him to take care Of
himself Is best he could. The raiders
pressed on from MoUlton toward Blounta-
Ylllc on Black Warrior river, and not until
the seth, Willie passing through a gap in
Sand Mountain, did they feel the presence
Of any strong opposition.
DOlCcs movement in strong force had
held FORESTS attention along the Tenneo-
see river until otreit,h was nearly a hum
drcd miles aw.y, eallopiug on toward
Rome, Ga. Forrest ut once prepared for tho
pursuit. He selected the li-ntest pieces Of
cannon, with the stror gcst harness and tho
best teams, and started on the morning of
the Goth in the direction Of MoU,tou. He
was about two days behind Str2i-it, hut
the friendlin,ss Of the people aided him,
and by swift riding night and day he
caught up with the raiders on the 3Jgh at
Sand Mountain, ana at once pitched into
their rear guard IL the foot of the Mount
ain Cup. The Confoderatcs had pre-
londcrancc Of force at this point, but the
siIIGtion compelled their leader TO divide
into tTo columns, one for direct pursuit
and the other to look out for the tanks and
prevent Streisht from turning and doub-
linz. Forrest remained with the pursuing
party, which consisted of two regiments
and battalion and one battery.
StreiGht posted his men on a ridge cir
cling to the rear and awaited the attack.
Forrest moved up direct in front with two
regiments, and personally led banking
party TO gain the rear of the raiders should
they he driven back. The Confederate ar
tlllcry advanced boldly, and Streight's for
ward companies retired before it. The
Confederate infantry charged, but were
met with a 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 i Charge, which eff
fectually scattered the whole Confeicrate
line. Two cannon, with c,ihoous, and forty
prisoners fell into Strci GIFTS hands.
The pluck of the raiders compelled For
rest TO call in his fan King parties. Streght,
however, did not wait 10 fight battle, out
took advantage Of the hour to continue his
ride southwark. Forrest again sent out a
hankiug column TO watch for the return of
the raiders, and with two regiments dashed
on in pursuit. Col. ltoddy, with one regi-
ment and one battalion, was sent back
10 the Tennessee again. y running fight
followed. and Streight finally stood at bay
behind a creek near B,uuntSville. 1t was
plain TO the raiders that their trip to GeOr-
gla was not 70 be IL holiday affair Their
pursuers showed q persistence and dash
equal 10 their own, and charged the posi-
ton again and again. The fight lasted
from dusk unit! ~ o'clock p. IN, anJ at