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

many were also killed and wounded, with but
slight loss to us.
On the following morning Upton moved past
Randolph to the left, and came on the Selma
road beyond Ebenezer Church. UptOn's adj
vance guard held the Selma road until relieved
by Longs Division, which had just arrived
from MOnteyallo. At Randolph a lot Of dis
patches were captured, from which we learned
of the movements Of Chalmers's and other di-
visions.
During all this time Gen. Croxton was har-
RAISING Jacksons Division, so miles or more to
the west of our position, but could not bring
him to bay. Gen. Wilson, fearing that Crox-
ton might be crushed between the two divis-
ions Of Jackson and Chalmers, sent La
Oranges Brigade to his assistance. Maj. Ship
man had previously been sent to seize and hold
the Centervile bridge and join Croxton. lie
failed TO join CrOXtOn, but destroyed the
bridge and all the feTTyboats for miles, and sue
ceeded in keeping Chalmers on thewest side of
the Cahabs River. Croxton now turned his
attention TO Tuscaloosa and destroyed all the
public works; then crossed the TOmbigbee
River, burned the bridge leaving Jackson on
the west side, and joined the command at
Macon, Ga, after an absence of three weeks.
Gen. Long relieved Upton's advanced guards
with four companies of the I'D Ind, under
Maj. Kilbourn. They soon came upon the
enemy and
RUNNING FIGHT
was kept up to Ebenezer Church, distance of
Is miles. The main body was in position on
the north bank of B0gler Creek, their right
protected by Mulberry Creek, their left rest
ing on a wood ridge. Four pieces of artillery
swept the Randolph road, over which Long was
advancing and two covered the Maplesville
road. The force in our front was Roddys
Division, Crossman's Kentucky Brigade, Arm
strong's Brigade (of Chalmers's Division, and
battalion from Selma. The 72d Ind, under
Lieut.-Col. Thompson, was dismounted and
moved forward, driving the enemys shirmish-
ers Whilea battery of the 18th Ind, under Lieut.
Col. White, charged the guns on the main road,
capturing the whole battery. The enemy soon
recovered and began closing IN with over
whelming numbers, when Col. White ordered a
retreat. Capt. Taylor, who had the advance,
did not hear the order, and rushed on with 10
others into what proved the valley OF death to
them. Maj. Hosea, late Of the 10th u. ). Inf,
and on Gen. Wilson's staff in paper written
and read by him before the Loyal Legion, at
Cincinnati, from which 1 have drawn largely
in this narrative, says that Capt. Taylor
singled out an officer Of high rank and
hand-to-hand fight ensued, in which the
Captain, after giving Forrest two saber cuts,
was shot down by that officer. OF the IS men
who went in with Capt. Taylor six were killed,
five wounded, and the remainder captured.
Gen. Upton was on the 3Iaplesville road when
li4C A44lls anu ALs1tltL bFN pun IIAC
euemy's barricade Of rails in his front. Two
companies were sent forward as sharpsh0oters,
and occupied some buildings near the rebel
center, and held them until the column arrived.
The fighting had been in progress about
hour when the Sd Iowa, leading Winslow's
Brigade, reached the scene Of action. The
leading company dismounted under fire, and
tore down the fences, when the remainder Of
the regiment charged through the lines, scatter
ing the foe The Union loss was A killed and
$50 wounded. We captured three pieces of
artillery, 300 prisoners, and secured a clear
road to Selma.
Maj. Hosea said that in the first attack Co.
c, 9TH Ohio Cav, commanded by Lieut.. WOmel-
dorf, especially distinguished itself, drawing
the fire of over 1000 muskets, which it re-
turned with interest. The company held its
position and
MASKED THE DEVELOPMENT
Of the command in the rear. Gen. Alexander
reported that every man in it was either killed,
wounded or had his clothes riddled with bullets
The Major is mistaken, however, in the COM
pany, as Co. /, and not c, is entitled to this
honor.
On april 2 the advance on Selma was resumed.
Jackson was occupied by CroxtOn, and La
Grange and Chalmers were hurrying down the
west side Of the Cahaba toward Selma, while
Forrest, with his defeated forces, was rallyiug
the home guards and militia, with the remnant
Of Dick Taylor's infantry, behind the de-
fenses Of the city. Long was instructed TO cross
I the Summervile road, approach the city, and
make a demonstration IN front Of the works.
! Upton was directed 10 move By the Range Line
road from PlautersVIIle, while battalion Of
! the 4th T. 5. Cav, under Lieut.. Rendelbrook,
| moved down the railroad to Evansville destroy
ing stations and bridges.
4 The plan Of attack was based on a sketch of
/ the works at Selma captured at PlanteTsvilie.
I Thecity OF Selma is situated upon sandy plain
! stretching northwaTd from the Alabama River
I aud merging into a succession of hills. The
/ river at this point IS from 500 TO 800 yards
! wide, with a deep and rapid current, rendering
the city unassailable on the south, while the
4 remaining sides were protected by a crescent of
strong earthworks, hauked on the east by a
( swamp extending 10 the Burnside road and on
the west by Mil Creek, which was deep and
mpassable- Immediately north Of the works
were open fields comparatively level and in
! tercePted by marsny rayIGes, extending south
. westerly into 3Iiil Creek and Distracted by an
I abatis Of fallen timber and brush. The works
I themselves, composed Of earth strengthened by
Z revetmeuls of heavy marshes bound by willows
. with strong bastiOus II the salient angles, were
constructed with all the skill and resources Of
/ the best engineering talent. The main parapets
/ Of regular profile, were about 10 feet high, and
upon the glacis was a stockade Of heavy picket
logs about six feet high aud sharpened at the
top. Thirty two pieces Of artillery Of large
caliocr looked grimly from the embrasures
placed 10 sweep every point Of attack and con-
centrate fire upon the roads forming the only
approaches TO tie city.
Long with his right resting on Mil Creek
was disposed diag0uaily across the road over
which he advanced, with regiment at his
right, watching the Cahaba for Chalmers
Upton. at his own suggestion, was to lead q
picked body Of 800 resolute men around the
swamp on the east, and penetrate the work:
near the river; his division meantime advancing
10 the attack on the Range Line road. a sho
from Roduey's battery, near the center, was Il
be the signal for Longs attack Their DISPOSE
tons were made close 10 the works under
rafting fire Of shells. conveying the frequent
protests Of the enemy to the commanding Gen
eTal, whose party formed
CONSPICUOUS MARK
as it gaIIoped over the field The skirmisher
Of Longs Division pushed close up to the work
and actively engaged the attention Of thos'
within while they picked off the gunncrs a
the cmbrasures. Longs led horses and pack
INHlA. .-,., O 2