The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-21

Much has been written about Straits raid through northeast Alabama in 1885, and the impression is left upon the mind of the critical reader that each writer is melted more to record impressions pro- duced on the mind. than to state the simple facts
 The object of the writer of this com municatlon Is to state the few and simple facts gathered from the plain people who lived on the line pursued by Strait
 The capture of Strait by Forrest re- suited more to relieve Bragg, then con- fronted by Rosecrans in Tennessee, than any move made on the military chess board. I shall only write about the raid as it occurred at Black creek near Gadsden continuing to the capture.
 It is well known how Forrest captured Strait 1,soO federals surrendering to 300 confederates.
 My purpose in this is to give the exact facts as learned from the citizens of the country who witnessed them.
 While Strait was the nominal com- mander of the federals. yet the Ajax of the forces was the martial spirit and he oC~SAAN command. Hathaway had been, what was known before the war, as horse drover. That Is, he brought large num- bers of horses each fall into northeast Alabama to sell them to the citizens. lie made Gadsden his headquarters for this purpose, and was well acquainted with the country and the citizens. When ne arrived in Gadsden he went to the hotel and several citizens who knew him called AN | ad ure at meeting them, and was very com municative.
 He did not tarry long and he allowed no foraging ordisturbance of the citi- gems by his troops.
 Ere he had left the corporate limits or the town, Forrest rushed in. His troops being exhausted, he asked for food TOT his men and animals. This was readily and cheerfully supplied by the citizens.
 Let us go back for an hour or more before Forrest entered Gadsden, and re- late the occurrence that took place at Black creek, where the immortal Emma Sansom came to the relief of Forrest and secured him a ford across the creek.
 Hathaway had formed his men at the crossing of the Gadsden and Guntersvilie road and the Tuskaloosa road east or Black creek He placed two guns in battery at this crossing a distance of six hundred yards from the bridge over Black creek He now had that creek be- tween him and Forrest. He displayed his men along the line of the Gadsden and Guntersville road, facing west, thus se- curing a splendid protection Tor nis Hanks, his right secure, as he thought bv the abrupt ascent of Lookout noun tain. His left was well protected by the dense swamp around the creek. The oo- feet of Hathaway being to delay Forrest and give Strait time to advance on Rome the adoption of this line at the road crossing was the most feasible the topography of tke country afforded. Hc knew Forr est was near by, and the fed- erals fired the bridge that spanned the creek.
 Fire was communicated from the bridge to the adjoining fences. The fences on the west belonged to Widow Sanson Her dwelling was beside the road west of the burning bridge. To protect her fencing, the widow and her daughter. Emma Sansom, went near the bridge and pulled down the fencing. thus dis connecting 1t from the flames. Hatha- way seeing the dust arising in the west knew Forrest and his troopers were ap- preaching, and he dropped two shells to the west over the line of the bridge, and this put the Sansoms in peril.
 They commenced to return to their house and met Forrest at the head of his column. heard Mrs. Johnson, nee Elm ma Sansom, state that when Forrest halted and turned his eyes on her, she was impressed with the fact that the very fires of battle flashed from them, and his soldierly and martial bearing bespoke the presence of very war god of inconquerable determination. But Forrest was of that lofty soul and heroic chivalry that under no circumstance and at no time will embarrass a lady inten- tionally, rather fall than be so ungallant
 She said he introduced himeslf in a soft, gentle, tender voice. She replied: Your introduction is unnecessary, sir Your proud soldierly mein tells too well who you are"
 Forrest: "Do you know of ford by which I can cross this creek?"
 The brave little mountain lassie of but sweet sixteen, with the heroic spirit of the south land burning in her soul, re- piled: 'Yes. just above about live hun. dred yards is a COW ford"
 Jump up on the fence and get behind me on my horse and direct me to the ford"
 The mother rather demurred, as it was not just the proper thing for girl to ride in this way and that, too, with trooper.
 An, cautious, anxious mother, there Is no danger She is under the protection of Forrest, a chevalier. without fear and without reproach. An indelicate act or word towards that brave mountain girl. under Forests protection, would cost the life of the offender.
 She plloted Forrest to the Ford. He surveyed 1t for a moment and told the girl to remain In the copse of woods as a protection from the bullets of the federal pickets that had commenced to whistle