The National tribune., 1903-06-18

March 24-Marched to Russeiville, and
went into camp six miles from town, on n
railroad. As l am generally out with the
scouts, can say but little concerning the
main command, except to indicate It's
movements in general way.
BURNING BRIDGES AND TRAINS.
I here lay aside my "War Journal, as
the reader may become weary OF readlng
the many minor events recorded tnefein.
l shall hurriedly pass on to Selma, Simply
narrating the more prominent occurrences
en- route.
At Ringgold ON the Milledgeville & New
Orleans Railroad the scouts burnt the
bridge, captured train loaded with am
munition and cOmmiSSary stores, wMch
we also burned. Still moving in south.
east direction, we destroyed cuiVerts ana
bridges, and captured number of bush
whackers, guerrillas, and small detach-
ments of scouting cavalry.
About March %. we dispersed force
of rebels at Sand Mountain and captured
a train on which were many passengers.
mostly women Four Confederate officers
We're on board. Wilder's Brignde was
closely following the scouts. keeping with
in supporting distance. Crossing Sand
Mountain. we marched eight miles, crossed
creek, andswent into camp.
On the following day we marched Is
miles, in the usual order the scouts in ad-
vance. tne Dfigaue anu OtHtT tIoopo
ing At Black Water we charged and de-
feated force of rebels that seemed dis
posed to dispute our crossing. There was
skirmishing the greater part of the day,
We driving the enemy steadily.
THE ENEMY IN THE REAR.
On the 9th a rebel brigade was in our
rear, attempting to capture our wagon
train. The scouts and the rear-guard,
123d ILL.,. skirmished with them nearly all
day, driving them off.
Continuing the march southwark, we
crossed the Black Warrior River, and,
some distance beyond, captured the eXten-
sive iron works near ii place called the
"Shades of Death" About this time we
were marching in rain and mud, and the
enemy, apparently growing stronger, dis
puted our advance more stubbornly.
The march was characterized by similar
incidents from day to day-driving the
enemy, destroying bridges, portions of
railroads. machine shops, and all property
that would benefit our enemies, who be-
came bolder as We approached Selma.
PREsENTIMENT OF DEATH.
Just before going into the battle Of Sci
ma, Henry Woodworth, the youngest sol
dier in Co. Z, 123d ILL.,, dismounted and
handed his bride rein to his brother, Ed
ward who in the counting of became a
horse holder. At the same time he gave
his brother certain things, saving: Give
them to mother: 1 am going 10 be killed
in this fight" His brother, inHch affected,
said: Henry, if that is your feeling, you
hold the horses, and 1 will take your place
in the battle line'' Although feeling as
sured that he would be killed, the brave
and conscientious boy said: No, brother;
whoever takes my place will be killed.
my future life would be miserable. Farewel l,
brother; shall do my duty" Thus the
brothers parted. Henry Was scarcely in
line when a ball struck him in the fore
head, killing him instantly. There were
three Woodwork brothers, Edward, Dan
lei and Henry, all model young men and
brave soldiers. Henry found grave at
Selma. The others lived to return home.
GEN. WILSON CAPTURES SELMA.
Having been disabled, was not in the
fight at Selma. but looking through field
glass from the rear; 1 saw it all, and
freely confess that l was worse scared
than 1 had ever been when actually en-
gagged in battle. In fact, felt that /
wanted to run away. / could see the en-
emy's formidable works, hear their big
guns, and see the shells fall near our
lines. The Lightning Brigade" and 9th
ers, had to charge across an open field to
the enemy's main works, mile distant.
The first obstacle encountered was a line
of sharp stakes driven into the ground
about three feet apart and inclined toward
the assaulting troops. Some 200 yards
beyond the stakes was stockade fence
some five feet high. While our men were
tearing down these obstructions the rebels
were firing upon them miscellaneous as
sortment of missiles-shells, solid shot
canister and bullets.
Finally, having cleared the way, our
boys opened their Spencers and charged
without a break up TO the breastworks
IT L.
be crossed before they could ascend the
embankment. The rebel forts were so ar.
ranged that they could throw shells into
the ditch. All this, however, failed to ter
rorize the Lightning Brigade" and other
troops, who were determined to take the
works They crossed the ditch, climbed
the embankment, and at close quarter,
conquered the Confederates. This battl,
occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, Ap
ril 2, 1865.
Selma, beautiful town, was strongly
fortified. Not all troops would care to as
sault such formidable works. We captured
Gen. Roddey, 1900 prisoners, 200 cannon
26 locomotives, 500 cars, foundries, iroi
works and an immense amount of war ma
terial that had been stored in the town
The battle was of short duration, but i
was the most desperate of any in whicl
my regiment was ever engaged. l canno
recall the names of those of the regimen
Wuo were UT WOuUueu. Among
killed were Lieut.. McManis. of Go. G
Henry Woodwork. Co. L: Daniel Cook
Co. G; John Bowman, Co. B; - White
Co. II; X. b. McMurray, Co. G, and Hen
~ Gross, Co. l. Others were killed, an,
25 were wounded-all within one hour
The regiment went into the battle abou
4c0 strong.
Our scouts continued to operate as here
tofore, with similar results. They release
rs Union soldiers who had been in priso
five months. They said. however, tina
they had been well treated. A rebel CAP
tain and is men, whose homes were q
Selma, came in and surrendered.
AMBUSHED.
A Captain OF the 4th Mich. and 20 mer
while scouting were ambushed. All wer
killed, except one, who came to camp an
told the story.
While in camp at Selma we were SUI
piled with new clothing. Taking advaI
tage of the opportunity, we wrote letter
home relating incidents of Wilson's raj
and telling Of the victories won with
the month.
While encamped on the Alabama Rive
30 miles from Montgomery, deserting reb
soldiers reported that Grant had take
Richmond and that jeff Davis had 6e
9Oufhward Reing far away from al