The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-26

brough. this mountain country girl
into public view, and placed her inn
memoriaily in the hearts OF all who
have true soul and brave the state
of Alaba ma in General Assembly adopt
cd q series Of Joint resolutions donating
her section of land and gold medal
"in consideration of public services rem
dered by her.
TO the uTinfGrmed IS to her specihc
act. is given q pist of the facts In the
eulogistic clauses OF the preamble TO
those resolutions, in which 1t is told
that She exalted herself above the
fears OF her nature and the tlmidity
OF her SEX, with Il maiden's modesty
and more than a wonan's courage. ten
dered her services g guide. and. in
the face Of an enemoy's fire, and amid
tho c5nnon's roar, safely conducted our
gallant forces by circuitour route TO
an easy and safe crossing, and left
them in eager pursuit OF fleeing foe.
which resulted in complete and brill
liant victory to our arms within tho
confines OF our own State. BY her cou-
rage. her patriotism, her devotion 70
our cause. and by the great public
service she has rendered. shn has secur-
cd to herself the admiration, esteem
and gratitude OF our people. and place
in history az the heroine OF Aiabama."
Several times since this act. efforts
have also been made to have tho State
seal changed from It's present form
to a scene representing Emma San som
riding behind General Forrest, and d.
recting him to the now immortal lost
ford
There transpired no more heroic or
picturesque occurrence during the War
between the United States and the Con-
federate States than the adventure in
which this incident figured, an adven-
turc rejecting glory upon ali particl-
pants, Federal and Confederate alike,
for It was one calling for high courage,
dauntless daring, and the best mettie
of true scholarship.
After the battle of Aurfreesborough
Ma jor General w. S. Rosecrans OF the
Federal army. determined, If possible,
to maroeuvre Maior-General Braxton
Bragg. commanding the Confederate
Army of Tennessee. soth OF the Ten
ncssec River. In order that the Confcd
crates might not get possession OF the
natural stronghold OF Chattanooga. One
step towards this end was 10 destroy
the two railroads leading from TINT
mountaI In city, one TO Atlanta. the other
to Knoxville. by which sustenance for
the Confederatcs could be supplied. The
OF raiders under the leadership OF Col
oncl Abel D. Streight, of India. The
plans OF this great enterprise, fraught
with great consequences" for il was
thus that the order ran, were carefully
laid by Rosecrans aud his chief of staff
Brigadier-General James A. Garfield,
with the aid and advice Of the intro
pid Hoosicr who waste be its leader
The commands selected by Colonel
Streight We're the 51st and the 7ard In
diana. the 3rd Ohio. the 18th Illinois,
and two companies of Alabama
Union cavalry, about 1000 officers and
men in all.
With iinpatience and high hopes the
streight raiders set out from Nashville
on April 10, 1863, under orders to repair
ito the interior of Alabama and Geor-
gia. for the purpose OF destroying the
railroads in that country
Upon the entrance OF the raiders In
TO North Mississippi they were joined
by & considerable force under General
Greaville NJ. Dodge, whose orders were
TO facilitate the advance OF Streight
upon his important mission. II was the
intent OF the Federala to SO divert the
.Confcdcrates under Colonel p. D. Rod :.
deS by minor skirmishes in which they
engaged them as to cause them to loose
sight of the movements Of Strelght.
On tho 2sth Of April, 1863, just past
midnight, through almost impenetra bic
darkness and steady downpour OF rain.
Streight's lightning bragade rode out
Of Tuscumbia, Ala, over broken and
Doggy roads, headed for Mount Hope
tilirty-six miles distant, where they
were to make their encampmcnt AT
sunset hungry and weary, having made
only one halt for food. they reached
their destination. with tho cheering
news. however, from General Dodge
that he had Forrest, the Wizard Of the
Saddle" whose pursuit was Streight's
greatest fear. upon the run in another
direction. Early morning found the
raiders pushing forward with all pos
sib!c progress through rain, mud and
across swollen streams, huoyed, how
ever. by the hope Of SUCCESS. Again
at nishtfaIl they rested, but on the
morning o fthe 29th. scarcely beyond
midnight. they once more rode Oft in
the darkness and the rain.
Forrest and his band OF 1000 men,
had cut loose from In front Of Dodge.
and they. too. were riding through the
night with Its ceasaless downpeur. in
hot pursuit OF the confident raiders,
and only sixteen miles behind them.
On through Theses early hours the two
bodies OF soldiers rode. Straight bound
for Rome. Ga. and Forrest bent on
capturing Straisht- Both forces nov ed
along at {. steady gait. and by night of
the goth. the Federals. after having
swept the country clean for a swath
OF several miles on each side of the
road, Of all the mules and horses. fire.
arms and forage. rode into Days Gap,
the gorge that leads to the summit OF
Sand Mountain. Here tho raiders res
ted for the night, as quiet and suppos-
eddy secure as the Sidonians OF old.
Forests men rode on in logged
pursuit mile after mile. with only one
hours rest for man and beast. BY mid
night8they.werc only four miles behind
their quarry. Knowing that his men
must have food and rest Forrest order