- Joined
- Mar 22, 2009
- Location
- Collierville, TN
I made it to the "private" marker.
I just returned from a Streight's Raid tour with Blue & Gray Education Society.
One of the topics was the exact location of the Days Gap Battlefield. The guide made a convincing case for a location 2-3 miles south of Battleground, Alabama, on the grounds of Bethlehem West Missionary Baptist Church. You have a swampy area and creek to the SW (Jaybird Creek) and a steep ravine to the NE of the church, with the church standing on a ridge (the modern highway 157 has cut through the ridge).
The location of Emma Sansom's ford was about 60 yards north of the modern Tuscalosoosa Avenue bridge over Black Creek in Gadsden.
As for Streight's Raid being a diversion - I submit that Streight was unaware of Grant's plans for Vicksburg in May. Rosecrans, Streight's boss, was equally unaware. When Grant was asked for the loan of a division under Dodge for a few days, he would have seen it as an opportunity to create a distraction and thus assented. Thus, at least to Grant, the raid was a diversion.
However, since Forrest was in central Tennessee and in Bragg's army, I question if he would have been cut loose to help Pemberton/Johnson even if there was not a diversion (and, if he had been transferred to help Pemberton/Johnson, would he have arrived in time to matter)?
I hope you don't mind that I adjusted your photo .
I can see both sides of the coin but I really don't believe it was a victory in the eyes of Streight's commanders . Plus if it was a victory how did Forrest end up with Streight's sword which is in our archives here in Alabama and whats interesting is its just a plain old artillery sword.
View attachment 105430
And Technically your right but I really don't think Streight's superiors told him " Go forth and distract Forrest and then get captured and be sent to Richmond as a prisoner"
I just returned from a Streight's Raid tour with Blue & Gray Education Society.
One of the topics was the exact location of the Days Gap Battlefield. The guide made a convincing case for a location 2-3 miles south of Battleground, Alabama, on the grounds of Bethlehem West Missionary Baptist Church. You have a swampy area and creek to the SW (Jaybird Creek) and a steep ravine to the NE of the church, with the church standing on a ridge (the modern highway 157 has cut through the ridge).
The location of Emma Sansom's ford was about 60 yards north of the modern Tuscalosoosa Avenue bridge over Black Creek in Gadsden.
As for Streight's Raid being a diversion - I submit that Streight was unaware of Grant's plans for Vicksburg in May. Rosecrans, Streight's boss, was equally unaware. When Grant was asked for the loan of a division under Dodge for a few days, he would have seen it as an opportunity to create a distraction and thus assented. Thus, at least to Grant, the raid was a diversion.
However, since Forrest was in central Tennessee and in Bragg's army, I question if he would have been cut loose to help Pemberton/Johnson even if there was not a diversion (and, if he had been transferred to help Pemberton/Johnson, would he have arrived in time to matter)?
I went on a tour with Ed Bears
I am a new member enjoying myself as I find and study threads of interest. Forrest’s pursuit of Streight has long been a fascination. I am intrigued by the possibility that the battlefield of Day’s Gap may be misidentified. This post is the first I have heard this. I went on a tour with Ed Bears and Dan Fulenwider some 20 years ago and we walked the accepted site of the battle. One of the most interesting things We learned on that tour was that it had just been determined that the location of the rear guard action at Crooked Creek was not correct. Forensic evidence conclusively established that this fight occurred at another ford about 1/4 mile away. So it is certainly plausible that the main battle was also misplaced. But I am having great difficulty understanding how such a mistake could be made. Local lore would not forget such dramatic event. And there must be forensic evidence from a pitched battle. Anyway, I am curious what else made a persuasive case for the alternate site other than the geography? I do admit the geographic features are intriguing. I consulted Brandon Beck’s recent book but nothing more is there. General Scales’ recent bible on Forrest’s battles and campaigns accepts the traditional location. Any suggestions for more reference materials?
‘book
You are very fortunate !
I unexpectedly encountered one of his tours at Brice's Crossroads back in the mid 2000's.
Mr. Bearss was IDENTICAL to the persona the world saw on the Ken Burn's documentary.