The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-05-05

with all possible speed toward their
objective, encouraged by the hope OF
burning the bridge at Rome after they
had passed over.
"On to Rome" they cried, ION to
Rome."
After them, men" shouted For
rest, as he dashed forward. in the
lead. as ever, lis flashing sword an
orih2mme to 70 tired men, who put
spurs to thei- tagging mounts and
with rebel yell" answered: After
them"
The Federals had to their advan-
tage, by virtue Of their advance posi-
ton, the first choice of fresh horses,
which they seized without formality
as they passed through the country.
The Confederates. though but half
the Federals in number, had Forrest
for their leader,
Streight sent 200 picked men ahead
Of his column to seize and hold the
bridge until his arrival. Anticipating
this move Forrest despatched cou-
rier to give warning TO the Romans.
When Streight's detachment ar
rived they found tie bridge barricad-
ed ard amply protected by the home
guard, In the meantime the main
body, their way lighted by the moon
and the stars, reached the banks of
the intervening river, the Chattooga.
The ferryboat had mystcriously
vanished! Nothing daunted, Colonel
Streight led his men for some miles
through the dense woods. wilder
ness. along the river side In ques. Of
a bridge. Many of his band were so
exhausted from the ride Of $50 miles
over mountain and rough country
roads. from hunger. constant fighting,
and from weary vigils. that they were
sound asleep in their saddles.
Finally the site of the Chattooga
bridge was reached. It was but
charrcd ruins. The bridge had been
burned
The rising sun found the raiders
worn ard sloep-ridden. still wander
ing through the wilderness in search
of a crossing At O'Clock nalt was
called for rest and breakfast. The
faithful band. too exhausted TO crave
food. fell off their horses to the
ground ard slept. The tireless raider
chief was the only wideawake, un-
spent soldier of the troop.
a courier presently arrived bring
ing the tidings OF Rome's defended
bridge. Runners also floated into
camp that Confederate troops were
advancing to the defense Of the city
and the railroad. Bat the paramount
evil announced itself - Forrest was
again upon his track Burnt bridges
nor sequestered fcrryboats had
stayed him. While the raiders wan
dered through bog and river bottoms
in search of a bridge he had rested
his followers. Now the pack was in
full cry and the quarry in reach! 1t
was TO be fight to the death.
Strcieht aroused his sleeping band
with difficulty from their heavy slum-
DtIS W tct-S up az HIS ih t'i'it"S VI
their lives. a desperate though los
ing fight ensued. Seeing his victory,
General Forrest sent member OF his
staff to Colonel Streight under flag
Of truce to demand surrender. To
accede to this demand was the only
course left to the brave raider, and
honorable terms were agreed upon.
To the three hours which Emma
Sansom saved him at Black Creek
Forrest ever attributed this victory OF
his arms. Not only was Rome saved,
but one Of the great Confederate lines
OF transportation and supply was
also saved, and an historian has said
that had "the Congress Of the Con-
federate States, Or the President, in
the light of this brilliant achievement
with the recollection Of Fort Donel-
son, Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Thomp-
sons Station and Brentwood fresh in
mind, appreciated the great military
genius they were hampering with
such a small force, and had placed
him in command of ali the cavalry OF
the Army of the Tennessee, they
would have frightened the prospects
of an independent Confederacy, and
have won the appreciation and conf
Gence of the Southern people. '-Un-
Gle Remus's-The Home Magazine.