The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-10

conceal the noise of fire in the rear; at the
same time Longs line dashed forward over the
open space in front of the works. Inspired by
his heroic example they moved rapidly for
ward from their cover with steady precision
over the intervening J, 100 yards under heavy
fire from the works, which soon became en-
veloped in smoke, destroying the accuracy of
the enemy's aim. When they reached the a6atis
the enemy had ceased firing evidently prefer
ring to wait until they should see the bluecoats
at close range. When the Federals had almost
reached the stockade the works fairly swarmed
with graycoats. The advancing line by a
common impulse dropped fat to the ground
and crawled forward until it reached the brush,
where it was somewhat delayed in getting
through the marsh into which men sank knee
deep; still it pressed steadily forward toward
the dense smoke which, fortunately, again en-
veloped the works. The stockade was reached
without shot having been fired, The divis-
ion
CHARGED THE WORKS,
and the enemy was completely routed, not
withstanding his superior numbers. The reb-
els rallied behind an inner line of works, from
which they poured a destructive fire into the
assaulting lines Gen. Wilson, who had enter
ed the works Immediately behind Longs troop
ers, charged with his escort, endeavoring to
penetrate the rear of the new line by the Sum-
merville road, but was repulsed
In the meantime Mai. Hosea had reached
Gen. Upton and urged forward his division.
These troops pushed rapidly forward on the
huntsville road. Upton, with his picked bat
TALON not having time to penetrate the swamp,
charged down the road, overturned the field
battery in the opening of the works under cover
of the confusion and gathering darkness,
pushed on into the town, striking the right
flank of the enemy in the rear of their rallying
line The noise of the firing and the cheers in
their rear disconnected the enemy IN Longs
i IL I'll. IL
the outer works. The 4th U. s., 4Jh. Ohio Cav,
and 18th Ind at once moved out under hastily
formed plan of attack against the works in
front They captured fort near the cotton
gin and wheeling to the left carried the main
works on the Plantersyille road in gallant
style, thus disorganizing the enemy and put
ting an end to all serious resistance in front.
The enemy, however, seemed determined to re-
siSt TO the bitter end, and, sheltered by houses,
continued a desultory but vigorous firing
until Upton's forces had made their way fairly
into the city from the east and dispersed the
mob by main force.
Gen. Wilson, with a part of the 4th Q. S. and
some other detaChments, broke through upon
the Centerville road into the heart of the city
By this time it was dark, and the Federal
troops pushed forward tC the city and disarmed
all Of the enemy that remained. Gen. Wilson
took possession of the principal hotel, and at
once set about bringing order out OF chaos. a
portion of the enemy escaped by the Burns
vile road. They were pursued by the 9TH Ohio
Cav, who captured a large number of prison
ers, some small-arms, five pieces of artillery,
caissons and horses which they carried to
Selma. About 1000 men were behind the in
trenchments at Selma, of which 400 were killed
and 5000 taken prisoners, with a large amount
of field and heavy artillery. Feeling ourselves
master Of the situation, we rested here several
days.
In the meantime I was duly ordered to join
the command at Selma. Leaving Eiyton on
the % Of April / reached Selma on the 5th.
In giving the description of Selma and the
fighting done there and at Ebenezer Church, l
have drawn wholly upon Mai Hosea, and to
him IS due the credit for this description.
Forrest got out on the road that leads north to
Ebenezer Church, and paroled our wounded
there. His arm was in sling He said the
soldier who
STRUCK HIM TWICE WITH sABER
was boy apparently about Is years old; that
he tried to capture the boy and save his life,
but one OF his staff officers shot and killed him.
At Selma enough stock was captured to
mount all the dismounted cavalry, and | was
asked to take the position Of Quartermaster of
| the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Cen Al
| exander commanding, which accepted. After
! destroying all the Confederate machine-shops,
/ fOundries and inter works together with the
/ irOn-wOrks and furnaces IN the surrounding
! country, we built pOntOon bridge across the
/ Alabama River Of coal barges, and the column
! headed for Montgomery, reaching there in three
! days without resistance. The city was sur
rendered without a struggle. The flag from
! the dome of the State House, where JEFF. Davis
! convened his first rebel Congress. was hauled
! down. One hundred thousand bales of cotton
were still burning when We entered the city,
/ \yE}E.