Wilson’s Battle for Selma
Gen. Andrew’s Account

From "Selma; Her Institutions, and Her Men" by John Hardy, pub. 1879:

"He directed Gen. Long to assault the works by moving diagonally across the road upon which his troops was posted, while Gen. Upton, at his request, with a picked force of three hundred men, was directed to penetrate the swamps upon his left break through the line covered by it, and turn the garrison’s right, the balance of his division to conform to the movement. The signal for the advance was to be the discharge of a single gun Rodney’s battery, to be given as soon as Upton’s turning movement had developed itself.

Before that plan could be executed, and while waiting for the signal to advance, Gen. Long was informed that a strong force of Confederate cavalry had began skirmishing with his rear, and threatening a general attack upon his pack train and led horses. He had left a force of six companies well posted at Valley Creek, in anticipation of that movement. Fearing this affair would compromise the assault upon the main portion, Long determined to make the assault at once; and without waiting for the signal, gave the order to advance. His command was formed in line of battle, dismounted, the 17th Indiana mounted infantry on the right, and next from right to left the 123rd Illinois, the 98th Illinois Mounted Infantry, the 4th Ohio cavalry, and the 4th Michigan cavalry, comprising 1,500 officers and men. They had to charge across open ground six hundred yards to the works, exposed to the fire of artillery and musketry, and that part of the line they were to attack was manned by Armstrong’s brigade, regarded as the best of Forrest’s corps and numbering 1,500 strong. Long’s Division sprang forward in an unfaltering manner. Its flanks had some difficulty in crossing a ravine and marshy soil; but in less than fifteen minutes it had swept over the works and driven the Confederates in confusion toward the city. But the loss was considerable, and among the wounded was Gen. Long himself, who was temporarily succeeded I command by Col. Minty. Gen. Wilson arrived on that part of the field, and after the works were carried. He at once notified Upton of the success, directed Col. Minty to form Logan’s division for a new advance, ordered Col. Vail, commanding the 17th Illinois, to place his own regiment and the 4th United States cavalry, Lieut. O’Connel, and the Board of Trade Battery, Capt. Robinson commanding, and renew the attack. The garrison had occupied a new line, but partially finished, on the edge of the city. A bold charge by the 4th United States Cavalry was repulsed, but it rapidly reformed on the left. It was now quite dark. Upton’s division advancing at the same time, a new charge was made by the 4th Ohio, 17th Indiana, and 4th cavalry, dismounted. The troops, inspired by the wildest enthusiasm, swept everything before them, and penetrated the city in every direction. Upton’s division met with little resistance. During the first part of the action, the Chicago Board of Trade battery occupied a commanding position and steadily replied to the garrison guns.

The loss in Long’s division was forty killed and two hundred and sixty wounded. Among the latter were Gen. Long himself, Col. Miller, McCormick and Griggs. Gen. Wilson’s force engaged and in supporting distance, was none thousand men and eight guns.

The garrison fought with great coolness and skill. Forrest was reported to have been engaged personally in two or three romantic combats; and he, with Gens. Armstrong, Roddy and Adams, and a number of men escaped by the Burnsville road, who were followed by a party of Upton’s division until long after midnight, capturing four guns and thirty prisoners.

The fruits of Wilson’s victory were thirty-one field guns and one thirty -ponder Parrot, two thousand seven hundred prisoners, including fifty officers, and an immense amount of stores of all kinds.

As soon as the troops could be assembled and tot into camp, Brevet Brig. Gen. Winslow was assigned to the command of the city, with orders from Gen. Wilson "to destroy everything that could benefit the Confederate cause"

Thus have we the Federal account of the capture of Selma and it scarcely does the subject justice.

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