Battle of Day's Gap facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Day's Gap |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the American Civil War (Streight's Raid) | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 CSA (Confederacy) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Abel Streight | Nathan Bedford Forrest | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1,500 | 600 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 23 | 65 | ||||||
The Battle of Day's Gap took place on April 30, 1863. It was the first of several small fights during the American Civil War known as Streight's Raid. These battles happened in Cullman County, Alabama, and lasted until May 2.
The Union forces were led by Col. Abel Streight. The Confederate forces were commanded by Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest.
Contents
Why Did Streight's Raid Happen?
The main goal of Streight's raid was to damage the Western and Atlantic Railroad. This railroad was very important because it supplied General Braxton Bragg's Confederate army. Bragg's army was fighting in Middle Tennessee.
Colonel Streight and his soldiers started their journey in Nashville, Tennessee. They first traveled to Eastport, Mississippi. From there, they marched east towards Tuscumbia, Alabama. On April 26, 1863, Streight left Tuscumbia. He led his troops southeast. Another Union general, Grenville Dodge, helped hide Streight's movements at the start of the raid.
The Fight at Day's Gap
On April 30, General Forrest's Confederate troops caught up with Streight's group. This happened at Day's Gap, which is on Sand Mountain. Forrest attacked the rear guard of Streight's forces.
Streight's soldiers fought back and managed to push the Confederates away. After this fight, Streight's men kept marching. They wanted to avoid more delays or being surrounded by the Confederate army.
What Happened After Day's Gap?
The Battle of Day's Gap was just the beginning. It led to a series of other small battles and clashes. These included fights at Crooked Creek and Hog Mountain (both on April 30). More battles happened at Blountsville (May 1), and Black Creek/Gadsden and Blount's Plantation (both on May 2).
Finally, on May 3, General Forrest surrounded Streight's tired soldiers. This happened about three miles east of Cedar Bluff, Alabama. Streight's men had to surrender. They were then sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. However, Streight and some of his men managed to escape from the prison on February 9, 1864.
Union Regiments in Streight's Raid
These Union army groups were part of Streight's raid:
- 80th Illinois Infantry
- 51st Indiana Infantry
- 73rd Indiana Infantry
- 3rd Ohio Infantry
- 1st Middle Tennessee Cavalry (two companies)
Protecting History
The Civil War Trust, which is now part of the American Battlefield Trust, works to save important historical places. They and their partners have helped protect 40 acres of the battlefield at Hog Mountain. This was another battle that happened on the same day as Day's Gap.
A historian named Fred Wise also opened the Crooked Creek Civil War Museum. This museum is on the land where the skirmish at Crooked Creek took place. It displays many old items found from the property.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Day's Gap para niños
