page_title: 80th Illinois Infantry Regiment
section_title: Streight's Raid and capture
hierarchical_section_title: 80th Illinois Infantry Regiment / History / Streight's Raid and capture
caption_attribution_description: Route of Streight's Raid through Northern Alabama, which started at Nashville and was eventually headed for Rome, GA. Streight's Raid included the Battle of Day's Gap. Straight-lines simply connect the places in chronological order and should not be considered anywhere near accurate route paths. Chronology of events of Streight's Raid in 1863 Nashville, Tennessee (April 7-10) -- proceeded by river Palmyra, Tennessee (April 11-13) -- proceeded on foot Yellow Creek, Tennessee (April 13-14) -- proceeded on foot Fort Henry, Tennessee (April 15-17) -- proceeded by river Eastport, Mississippi (April 19-21) -- proceeded either by foot or river Bear Creek/River, Mississippi (April 22) -- proceeded on foot the rest of the way Tuscumbia, Alabama (April 24-26) Mount Hope, Alabama (April 27-28) Moulton, Alabama (April 28) Day's Gap, Alabama (April 29-30) Battle of Day's Gap (April 30) Skirmish at Crooked Creek (April 30) Skirmish at Hog Mountain (April 30) Arrival at Blountsville (May 1) Skirmishes at Blountsville (May 1) Skirmishes at the East Branch of the Black Warrior River (May 1) Skirmishes at the crossing of Black Creek, near Gadsden (May 2) Damaged ammunition while crossing Will's Creek, near Gadsden (May 2) Gadsden, Alabama (May 2) Blount's plantation, about 15 miles from Gadsden (May 2) Skirmishes at/near Blount's plantation (May 2-3) Centre, Alabama (May 3) Cedar Bluff, Alabama (May 3) Surrender to Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest outside Cedar Bluff, Alabama (May 3) Taken to Richmond, Virginia as prisoners of war
context_page_description: The 80th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. The regiment was composed of ten companies that drew primarily from eight southern Illinois counties. Over the course of the war the regiment traveled approximately 6,000 miles, and was in over 20 battles.
context_section_description: In the spring of 1863 the 80th Illinois took part in Streight's Raid in northern Alabama. The raid, led by Colonel Abel D. Streight, was intended to destroy parts of the Western and Atlantic railroad, which was supplying the Confederate Army of Tennessee. But due to poor supplies and poor planning it ended with the defeat and capture of Streight and his men at Cedar Bluff, Alabama, by Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.  Streight was additionally hindered by locals throughout his march, while pursued by Forrest, who had the advantage of home territory and the sympathy and aid of the local populace, most famously Emma Sansom.
  The actual capture of the forces was achieved by a clever ruse, when Forrest paraded his much smaller force back and forth in front of Streight, convincing Streight that he was opposed by a superior force. After surrendering and being informed of the deception Streight reputedly demanded his arms back for a proper fight, a request cheerfully declined by Forrest.
  In addition to arms, Forest's men stole the regiment's blankets, watches and money. The regiment was taken to Rome, Georgia, where they were paroled and then sent in coal cars to Atlanta. From here the officers were sent to Libby Prison while the enlisted men were sent, via Knoxville and Lynchburg, to Richmond, arriving on 13 May 1863. While the officers largely remained imprisoned for the remainder of the war, the enlisted men were sent to City Point before being exchanged for Confederate prisoners.
  With Col. Thomas G. Allen having resigned and Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Rodgers and Major Erastus Newton Bates still being prisoners of war, the regiment received a new leader in the form of Lieutenant Herman Steincke.
caption: Map of locations involved in Streight's Raid
exif: {}