The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-07-12
WAR STORIES.
BY DR.. r. j. Massey, in Sunny South.


'su March II last, the anniversary Of
st. Patrick's day, to the memory of
the brave Irish captain, Dick Dow
ding, and his heroes, was bcitting
occasion. Captain Dowling's name is
most sacredly embalmed in history.
;and Will be transmitted to future
generations with embellishcd luster,
:as the able defender of Sabine Pass,
oft the coast of Texas on the Gulf of
Mexico. 4 most interesting account
es gwen in recent number of The
Sunny South, how, with forty men, he
succeeded in capturing federal fleet
with ; 600 soldiers aboard.
70 the honor Of General Bedford
forrest belongs the distinction Of hav-
auC achieved on the western border Of
Georgia victory very much in keep
ING with that of the Irish captain,
Dick Bowling, Of Texas. From old
r,az Josiah Davis, late of Cobb
soovuty, but now resident of Atlanta,
who is double veteran, having
Faithfully followed the fortunes of
General Winfield Scott through the
Mexican war and during the sixties of
che last century, an active partici-
E,aut in almost every battle fought by
General n. 3. Forrest, 1 gain the un-
published facts concerning the cap
sure Of Colonel Streight, of the Yam
Eece army.
Bearing we'll up under the weight
ess years, long having passed the octo
seuarian milepost, Mr.. Davis is still
we'll preserved and in fine physical
wigor. give what he had me to
write down in August, 1873, the
statement verbatim ct literatum. Here
ARE his words:
In the fall of 1863 Rosecraps was
m Mursfreesboro, Tenn. He ordered
General Streight to select $500 Of the
tbest cavalrymen in the army and to
sso as expeditiously as possible by
way of Rome to Atlanta, Ga, taking
Corinth, Miss, in his route. At
chis time General Forrest was front
Nng General Dodgcs' army in the Ten
=iessee valley, near Courtland, Ala.
&c counterect Streight's march, For
west received orders to pursue Streight
with utmost dispatch at all hazards.
At this time Forrest had trifle
over sixty men, ell told. Besides
Erom long and continued marches the
horses were all jaded, 30 much 80
there was scarcely good horse in the
whole bunch. At his starting point
Forrest was at least 60 miles from
Streight, very rough country inter
wening. He left, however, within
ewo hours after receiving his orders at
10 O'Clock q. NJ, cucountering
SStreight's command the next day at
Days Gap, on the north end of Sand
Mountain, Ala.
"Here was the biggest fight on all
the way. The loss on both sides was
very heavy. During the engagement
saw bushes on both sides fall like
tay under the scythe blade. In fact,
ehey flew 80 thick at one time that it
seemed that no one could escape.
This hot fight lasted at least three
hours. After capturing two of our
guns, Streight very abruptly ceased
Gring and left, Forrest in hot pursuit.
This was "bout II o'clock in the
enorniug, but before night We caught
up with Streight, recaptured our two
guns, finding that Streight had spiked
chem with wooden pins. Night came
Gu, and, oh, how tired I was, and
hungry, no words can tell! Hadn't
had thing to eat in forty eight hours.
IAfter my poor old horse had finished
Gis short ration of corn, raked up
che scattered grains and sifted the
sand and dirt from them and ate them
cav. Never ia all my life did I taste
such delicious food. The memory of
that meea hsants me till this day.
"AfterTsssina !. .awhile, Forrest ap.
Itosthed ssreds6t,s camps, drew up
Gis men about % fsoiook p. m. 10 the
bright moonlight about 300 yards
away, ordering US to uss double shot
and she'll, and double charge Of oan.
mister, with orders toEaght to thesfn-
'tsh. After quite fight, Forrest Gap.
;tured 'msny men, q large supply Of
aattlers' goods, which, I tell you,
came in mighty good time, for For
vests half starved and worse than
!: Aslf uaaAsA Men. tell you it was q
-Segular feast. Leaving 9 sufficient
tbody of men to guard the prisoners
aud bury the dead that had fallen on
Doth sides, Forrest, With small body