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Forrest-Streight Raid Reenactment
-Wes Mayhle-
Confederate Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest had followed the mounted infantry forces of Col Abel Streight for 16 days through Tennessee, north Alabama and Georgia before capturing him and his remaining force of 1466 near Rome Ga. Here the famous Confederate general circled his 600 tired men and a lone battery of cannon in and out of sight of the Union leading them to believe that they were "vastly outnumbered"
-excerpt from the Report of Col. Abel D. Streight (dated) August 22, 1864-
"After some maneuvering, Forrest sent in a flag of truce, demanding the surrender of my forces. Most of my regimental commanders had already expressed the opinion that, unless we could reach Rome and cross the river before the enemy came up with us again, we should be compelled to surrender. Consequently I called a council of war. I had learned, however, in the mean time, that Captain Russell had been unable to take the bridge at Rome. Our condition was fully canvassed. As I have remarked before, our ammunition was worthless, our horses and mules in a desperate condition, the men were overcome with fatigue and loss of sleep, and we were confronted by fully three times our number, in the heart of the enemy's country, and although personally opposed to surrender, and so expressed myself at the time, yet I yielded to the unanimous voice of my regimental commanders, and at once entered into negotiations with Forrest to obtain the best possible terms I could for my command, and at about noon, May 3, we surrendered as prisoners of war."
-end exerpt-
The Forrest-Streight Raid Civil War Reenactment was held on May 5 & 6 just outside the small town of Blountsville, Al. More than 250 reenactors attended and brought 4 horse-drawn wagons, at least 7 pieces of Artillery and several horses. The weather was ideal and the reenactment site attractive. The battlefield was a picturesque valley between 2 hills - the spectators on one side the artillery on the other with the fighting in between.
The Blountsville area is very rural as it was during the War. The area had only been settled for a few decades. Blountsville was the county seat and the center for trade for the surrounding region. The people were not wealthy and few slaves were in the county. Many Union sympathizers lived here, so in 1861 conscript-ors were needed to fill the ranks of the 29th Alabama Infantry being formed for the Confederacy. The area was known to both sides as a place to refurbish and recuperate cavalry men and horses.
May 1, 1863 - On his way to an eventual surrender outside of Rome, Ga., US Col. Abel Streight came through Blountsville with Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest closely following. Many locals have recounted the atrocities and/or gallantry of the side they favored as the 2 mounted forces battled their way across northern Alabama. Many heroic stories of the locals aiding their heroes have collected in local lore.
-excerpt from the Report of Col. Abel D. Streight (dated) August 22, 1864-
"At Blountsville we found sufficient corn to feed our tired and hungry animals. Ammunition and rations were hastily distributed to the men, and the remaining ammunition was put on pack mules and the wagons burned, as it was now understood that it would be impossible to take them over the roads before us. After resting about two hours, we resumed our march in the direction of Gadsden. The column had not got fairly under motion before our pickets were driven in, and a sharp skirmish ensued between Forrest's advance and our rear guard, under Captain Smith, in the town of Blountsville. The enemy followed closely for several miles, continually skirmishing with the rear guard, but were badly handled by small parties of our men stopping in the thick bushes by the side of the road and firing at them at short range, and when we reached the East Branch of the Black Warrior River the ford was very deep and the enemy pressed so closely that I was compelled to halt and offer him battle before we could cross. After some maneuvering, I advanced a heavy line of skirmishers, who drove the enemy out of sight of my main line, when I ordered the troops, except the skirmishers, to cross the river as rapidly as possible. After all had crossed, except the skirmishers, they were rapidly withdrawn, under cover of our artillery, and a heavy line of skirmishers thrown out on the opposite bank for that purpose. It was about 5 p.m. when the last of the command crossed the East Branch of the Black Warrior. We proceeded in the direction of Gadsden without further interruption, with the exception of small parties who were continually harassing the rear of the column, until about 9 o'clock the next morning, May 2, when the rear guard was fiercely attacked at the crossing of Black Creek, near Gadsden. After a sharp fight the enemy was repulsed."
-end exerpt-
Report of Col. Abel D. Streight (dated) August 22, 1864
Map of Streights Raid
Battle of Days Gap and Chronology
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