The National tribune., 1906-07-19

on general engagement with the ene-
my, who had been pressing him closely
all day. A detail was made to feed the
horses, while the balance of the COM
mand went into line to resist attack
Forrest attacked the center first, but
was repulsed by the 51st and 73d Ind,
assisted by the howitzers. He then
turned his attention to the right, meet
ing with similar treatment by the Goth
ILL., and two companies of the Sd Ohio.
But this small success. however, was at
the cost of the life of the gallant Col.
Hathaway, Of the 7Sd Ind.
Another overwhelming misfortune Of
the Inflated expedition now developed
lords most of the ammunition had be-
come wet and worthless Streight saw
the uselessness of further fighting, and
sent Capt. Milton Russell, Of the 51st
Ind. with 200 Of the best mounted men
selected from the whole OF the COM
mand, to dash on toward Rome and
hold the bridge until the rest of the
command could come up. Forrest tried
to make an ambuscade on the way TO
Rome. but 1t was discovered, and the
sk1rmish fire held the enemy until the
wornout soldiers could plod past. Ar
irving at the river, 1T was found that
the ferryboat had been run off, and
IL
to the bridge at Gaylesville. The route
lay for several miles through an old
charcoal chopping, where the country
was cut up by innumerable tracks. The
command by this time was absolutely
worn out. and the confusion OF these
tracks to the tired, unutterably sleepy
men was SO bewildering that they could
not be kept together. The mules were
dropping every few minutes, and not a
score of those that had been drawn at
Nashville remained Nearly all were
barefoot. many Of them had sore backs
and the whole command was in the
most deplorable condition. Still, they
struggled on until 9 o'clock, when they
discovered the enemy surrounding them
Ihe fatigue was SO overpowering that
the best men could not keep themselves
awake even under the skirmish fire
which was opened on them. Forrest
sent In flag Of truce, demanding a
surrender. and after consultation of
the officers 1t was decided, that nothing
more could be done, and the surrender
was consummated about noon Of May g.
The enemy reported that the number
captured was about 1900, lbut this could
not have been. as Streight had started
with only about 500 in his command
and had lost many in killed. wounded
through the lines and Exchanged, but
Col. Streight and his officers were treat
ed with the greatest cruelty. The raid
had produced intense excitement and
FEELING. and Gov Joe Brown demanded
the officers to be tried according to the
Georgia laws for Furnishing men en-
gagged In melting servf1e tnsurrection.
It was claimed that Streight had taken
great numbers OF negroes and armed
them. This was not true, as the only
negroes In the party were servants
whom the officers had brought along,
and the only armed negro one who was
carrying his employers sword. For a
while 1t seemed as, II streight and his
on1cers would be executed, but they
were finally turned over t0gthe Confed-
crate authorities and confined in Libby
and other Southern prisons, until the
end OF the war, excepting about eight
OF Strefght's officers, he among the num-
Der, who escaped through the celebrat-
ed tunnel on the night OF the 9th OF
February. 1854. and two or three others
OF MS command, for whom special ex-
changes were arranged.
Could Not Have Succeeded.
In his report Col. Streight says:
I'm reviewing the history of this ILL
rated expedition l am convinced that
had we been furnished at Nashville with
500 good horses, instead OF poor. young
mules. we would have been successful, in
spite OF all other drawbacks; or IL Gen.
Dodge had succeeded In OBTAINING For
rest one day longer we would have been
successful. even with our poor outfit"
Looking at the matter In the light of
to-day 1t does not seem possible that 1t
could have succeeded, even had It been
fitted out as such an expedition should
have been, with the best Of horses, arms
and equipments. and its members none
but veteran cavalrymen. 1t is true, II
might have reached Rome and inflicted
great damage. probably burning a num-
Der Of railroad bridges. But then it
could not have escaped capture, because
there was no possible way Of its return
ing to the Union lines 1t is amazing
that the expedition got as far as 1t did,
and that 1t STAYED off the final disaster
as long as 1t did. The whole country
had been aroused. The regular Con-
federate troops and militia were swarm
ing about its path. and as It's direction
ma, had become we'll indicated there was
little trouble In marching to head 1t off
and to embarrass 1t by burning bridges
and obstructing routes. Only a COM
mander OF phenomenal force, seconded
by magnificent body OF soldiers, could
have pushed his way as far into the
heart OF country swarming with ene-
mics. Even had the expedition been as
successful as was anticipated there does
not seem to have been any way for IL
to have regained the. Union lines. 1t
would hardly have attempted to go back
on the same route, and to go on from
Rome or Atlanta would have involved
making its way through the ranges OF
mountains between Atlanta and Chatta-
nooga and there have encountered all
Of Bragg's forces in East Tennessee
with not one chance In many hundred
OF being able to elude all It's enemies
and reach the Union lines In Kentucky.
The Confederate Congress passed
joint resolution OF thanks to Gen. For
rest and the officers and men under his
command for their daring, skill and
perseverance, In the pursuit.
On the Extrense nlght.
Gen. Bragg was not getting the re-
suits he had hoped foraby she accession
Of Gen. Van Dorm to hfA force, and from
Van Dorn's position af Columbia with
a heavy force OF possibly. from 10000 to
5000 men. From VAN EDorn's high
reputation for enterprise and ability it
was anticipated by Bragg and the au-
thorities at Richmond silat he would do
something to seriously threaten Nash
willie. and shake the Armyaof the Cum
berland In its position at Stone River
Early in April Van Dorm advanced with
5000 cavalry and two regiments OF in
fantry from Columbia upon Franklin,
where Gen. Gordon Granger was sta
toned with about SO0O Anfantry and