May 1, 1863
Arrival at Blountsville Alabama
After surrendering and being informed of the deception Streight reputedly demanded his arms back for a proper fight, a request cheerfully declined by Forrest.
A major crossroads in early Alabama, Blountsville became a Confederate depot for the cavalry. Confederate forces led by General Nathan Bedford Forrest and Union forces led by General Abel Streight skirmished briefly in the town on May 1, 1863.
During the Civil War, a number of men enlisted and fought for the Confederacy. The Confederate government operated a facility to care for horses in Blountsville, and the town was raided by Union colonel Abel D. Streight and his forces prior to their defeat and capture by Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest.
The actual capture of Streight’s forces was achieved by a clever ruse, when Forrest paraded his much smaller force back and forth in front of Streight, convincing him that he was opposed by a superior force.
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, Cherokee County (May 2–3)
Centre, Alabama (May 3)
Cedar Bluff, Alabama (May 3)
Surrender to Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest, 3 miles east of Cedar Bluff, Alabama (May 3)
Taken to Richmond, Virginia, as prisoners of war
After the war, Union soldiers were stationed in Blountsville.
Blountsville is located in Blount County in the northeastern portion of the state between the cities of Gadsden and Cullman.