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I then ascertained that there was a bridge some 7 or 8 miles up the river, near Gaylesville, and procured new guides and pushed on as rapidly as possible in order to reach the bridge before the enemy should take possession of it. We had to pass over an old coal chopping for several miles, where the timber had been cut and hauled off for charcoal, leaving innumerable wagon roads running in every direction, and the command was so worn out and exhausted that many were asleep, and in spite of every exertion I could make, with the aid of such of my officers as were able for duty, the command became separated and scattered into several squads, traveling in different directions, and it was not until near daylight that the last of the command had crossed the river. The bridge was burned, and we proceeded on and passed Cedar Bluff just after daylight. It now became evident that the horses and mules could not reach Rome without halting to rest and feed. Large numbers of the mules were continually giving out. In fact, I do not think that at that time we had a score of the mules drawn at Nashville left, and nearly all of those taken in the country were barefooted, and many of them had such sore backs and tender feet that it was impossible to ride them; but, in order to get as near as possible to the force I had sent ahead, we struggled on until about 9 a. m., when we halted and fed our animals. The men, being unaccustomed to riding, had become so exhausted from fatigue and loss of sleep that it was almost impossible to keep them awake long enough to feed. We had halted but a short time, when I was informed that a heavy force of the enemy was moving on our left, on a route parallel with the one we were marching on, and was then nearer Rome than we were. About the same time I received this information our pickets were driven in. The command was immediately ordered into line, and every effort made to rally the men for action, but nature was exhausted, and a large portion of my best troops actually went to sleep while lying in line of battle under a severe skirmish fire. 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 surrender as prisoners of war.

We were taken to Richmond, Va. The men were soon sent through the lines and exchanged. My officers and myself were confined in Libby Prison, where we remained until the night of February 9 last, when four of my officers and myself, together with several other prisoners, succeeded in making our escape, and reached Washington in safety about March 1. The balance of my officers, or nearly all of them, are still confined as prisoners or have died of disease, the result of long confinement, insufficient food, and cruel treatment at the hands of the enemy.

I am unable to report the exact number of casualties in the command, but from the best information I have been able to obtain, there were 15 officers and about 130 enlisted men killed and wounded. It was a matter of astonishment to all that so much fighting should occur with so few casualties on our side; but we acted purely on the defensive, and took advantage of the nature of the country as best we could. From actual personal observation where we had driven the enemy from the field, and from what my surgeons, left with our wounded, learned in relation to the loss of the enemy, I am convinced that we killed more of his men than we lost in both killed and wounded.

Previous to the surrender, we had captured and paroled about 200 prisoners, and had lost about the same number in consequence of the animals giving out, and the men, unable to keep up, broke down from exhaustion, and were necessarily picked up by the enemy; but in no case was the enemy able to capture a single man in any skirmish or battle within my knowledge.

I deem it proper to mention the barbarous treatment my wounded received at the hands of the enemy. Owing to the nature of the service we were performing, we were compelled to leave our wounded behind. I provided for them as best I could by leaving them blankets and such rations as we had, and two of my surgeons remained behind to attend them; but no sooner did the enemy get possession of our hospitals than they robbed both officers and men of their blankets, coats, hats, boots, shoes, rations, and money. The medical stores and instruments were taken from the surgeons, and my wounded left in a semi-naked and starving condition, in some instances many miles from any inhabitants, to perish.

Many thanks to the Union ladies of that country, for they saved many a brave soldier from a horrible death.

In reviewing the history of this ill-fated expedition, I am convinced that had we been furnished at Nashville with 800 good horses, instead of poor, young mules, we would have been successful, in spite of all other drawbacks; or if General Dodge had succeeded in detaining Forrest one day longer, we would have been successful, even with our poor outfit.

In conclusion, I will bear testimony to the bravery and uncomplaining endurance of both officers and men of my command during those trying days and nights. To my staff I owe much for their good example and constant labors.

I have the honor, sir, to be, your obedient servant,

A. D. STREIGHT,

Colonel Fifty-first Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry.

Brigadier General WILLIAM C. WHIPPLE,

Chief of Staff, Department of the Cumberland.

Numbers 3. Report of General Joseph E. Johnston, C. S. Army.

TULLAHOMA, May 7, 1863.

General [N. B.] Forrest, with three regiments, was led to Rome, Ga., by a mounted Federal party, which he captured. Colonel [P. D.] Roddey, with the remainder of their joint force, was ordered into Mississippi on the 5th.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

General S. COOPER.

Numbers 4. Reports of General Braxton Bragg, C. S. Army.

TULLAHOMA, May 5, [1863.]

On April 18, the enemy, moving from Corinth toward Tuscumbia, crossed Bear Creek with five regiments of cavalry, two of infantry, and ten pieces of artillery. Colonel [P. D.] Roddey, commanding, fought them on the 18th, with one regiment, killing a large number and capturing more than 100 prisoners and one piece of artillery, with horses and 1 caisson, losing 6 killed and 20 wounded. The enemy, after burning [burying] their dead, fell bak, and, on the 19th, were re-enforced to three full brigades, the whole under command of General Dodge. Skirmishing continued on the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

On the night of the 19th, the enemy landed troops at Eastport, from a large number of steamers, and burned the town and houses on several plantations.

On the 24th, Roddey fought them; their loss heavy, ours slight; contested every inch of ground, but falling back before overwhelming forces. The enemy advancing, entered Tuscumbia on the 25th. The enemy advanced toward Decatur as far as Town Creek; no move until the 28th. On that day, Forrest, with his brigade, having been ordered by me from Columbia, arrived and engaged them all day, with loss of 1 killed and 3 wounded; the loss of the enemy heavy.

Forrest, falling back on the 28th, discovered a heavy force of cavalry, under Colonel Streight, marching on Moulton and Blountsville. General Forrest pursued this force with two regiments, fighting him all day and night at Driver's Gap, at Sand Mountain, with a loss of 5 killed and 50 wounded, Captains [W. H.] Forrest and [Aaron] Thompson, it is feared, mortally. The enemy left on the field 50 killed and 150 wounded; burned 50 of his wagons; turned loose 250 mules and 150 negroes, and pursued his way toward Blountsville, Gadsden, and Rome, Ga.

On May 3, between Gadsden and Rome, after five days and nights of fighting and marching, General Forrest captured Colonel Streight and his whole command, about 1,600, with rifles, horses, & c.

BRAXTON BRAGG.

[General] S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

TULLAHOMA, May 7, 1863.

Between Rome and Gadsden, a party of 1,600 of the Federal Army surrendered to General [N. B.] Forrest, after several days' fighting, in one of which he forced them to burn their wagons and turn loose a large number of negroes. Shall I send them as prisoners of [war] to Richmond, or deliver them to the Governor of Alabama?

BRAXTON BRAGG.

General [S.] COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General.

ADDENDA.

RICHMOND, May 8, 1863.

General BRAXTON BRAGG, Tullahoma, Tenn.:

The slaves captured by General Forrest should be sent for safe-keeping, with sufficient guard, to the nearest camp of instruction, as provided in General Orders, Numbers 25, from this office, of March 6, 1863, with which, as far as necessary, please comply.

S. COOPER.

RICHMOND, May 13, 1863.

General BRAXTON BRAGG, Tullahoma, Tenn.:

Send at once to this city all captured officers and men.

S. COOPER.

Numbers 5. Thanks of the Confederate Congress to General Nathan B. Forrest and the officers and men of his command.

Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, That the thanks of Congress are again due, and are hereby tendered, to General N. B. Forrest and the officers and men of his command, for meritorious service in the field, and especially for the daring, skill, and perseverance exhibited in the pursuit and capture of the largely superior forces of the enemy, near Rome, Ga., in May last; for gallant conduct at Chickamauga, and for his recent brilliant services in West Tennessee.

Approved February 17, 1864.