Selma Raises Militia for Seminole War
From "Selma; Her Institutions, and Her Men" by John Hardy, pub. 1879:
The town was gradually improving in populating and business houses and professional men.
We find such business houses and men as Parsons, Ferguson & Boyd, J. Hinds & Co., D. C. Russell & Co., A. H. Lloyd, J. D. Monk & Co., Dickenson & Taylor, J. a. Jones, Dr. P. H. Earle, a most promising young physician; and Clement C. Bassett, and Robert Dunlap, as lawyers.
The people of Texas having on the 2nd day of March, 1836, at the town of Washington, declared their independence as a separate Republic from Mexico, which act was at once followed up by the invasion of Ben. Coss, the commander of a large Mexican force, perpetrating all kinds of cruelties upon the American inhabitants of the country, aroused much feeling throughout the United States, col. M. A. Lea, of Marion raised a company, among whom, from Selma, were W. D. C. Hall, who afterwards became Adjutant and inspector General James Kelly, John Grumbles, Sam. Fletcher, Louis Day and Andrew Jones, who rallied to the standard of Austin, and distinguished themselves in Texas’ independence.
Improvements of various kinds commenced: among them a company to “Protect Property Against Fire” was formed; a Stock Company, with a capital of $15,000, to erect and equip a hotel, of which Wm. Waddill, Jr., Wm. Tredwell, T. P. Ferguson, and R. N. Philpot, were a Board of Directors. This company erected a large two-story wooden building, occupying the present Savings Bank corner fronting Alabama street, and was burned down in 1853, while occupied by John M. Stone.
Amidst of all the prosperity, the tocsin of war would be sounded. In January 1836, the Seminole Indians in Florida, commenced outrages upon the white inhabitants, and some of the greatest cruelties and outrages were perpetrated upon the whites. Forces were called for by the president, and Governor Clay called upon various Major Generals of the militia of the State, for volunteers. Selma came forward, and a company was organized to go to Florida to fight the Indians, at the head of which, Capt. W. T. Minter was placed; and among the members of the company, we now remember: W. Platenburg, A. Rankin, John Keenan, Abner Jones, W. T. Brooks, Wilson E. High, Dr. W. Randall, Robert Tate, James Hamilton, Wm. Donaldson, P. McMullan, R. R. King, Andrew hunter, Fred Dore, Thomas K. Kornegy.
On the departure of this company on the 22nd day of February, 1836, they were presented, by the ladies, with a beautiful stand of colors, through Miss Mary Ann Paul, and received on behalf of the company, by Dr. John A. English, of Cahaba, who was a member, as follows:
Miss Paul’s Address.
Sir: The ladies of Dallas county have requested me to present in their name to the Volunteers from this county the flag, which I now hold in my hand. To you as the proper organ of the company on this occasion, I offer it, regretting that I can but briefly express the feelings of those whom I am desired t represent.
They have charged me to say to you, they have admired the spirit and alacrity with which the Volunteers have responded to the call of our country in the hour of danger; that they feel safe under such protectors. They are proud of such friends, and they give you this standard, Sir, as a trifling testimony of their feelings. While it waves over you on the march--while it serves as a rallying point in the time of battle--let it also serve as a memento of the friends you leave.
Tell your sisters in the country to which you are destined that we have heard their cries--we have mourned over their sufferings from savage barbarity. We have sent the bravest of our brave to defend them. Say to them that though each mother, sister and wife, parts in sorrow and anguish from husband, brother or son, yet we have forborne saying a word to prevent any one form going to defend our suffering fellow citizens.
And now, Sir, in behalf of those who present you this standard, I bid you all farewell! May the God of battles prosper you arms, and may a kind Providence grant you a safe return.
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