The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-02-12
in THE STREETS OF SELMA.
Surrender of q Confederate Battalion to Ty
Dismounted Cava1rymen.

Surrender Of Confederate Battalion to Twe
Dismounted cavalrymen.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Being a
member of Co. G, 123d ILL.,, Wilder's Bri.
gade, will attempt to give an incident
which occurred at Selma, Ala, on the 18th
of April 1865, and which, believe, has
never been in print. It is possible that
some of the readers Of The National Tri-
bune seeing and reading it, will recall the
fact that those breastwOrks were anything
but pleasing to our sight before we got
orders to change. But, when we were once
started, no thought was given to anything
but the capture of the place; and nothing
could withstand the fire from the Spencer
rifles.
On the evening when Selma was taken
and occupied by the Union soldiers, the
members of our brigade had, as usual,
been dismOunted before entering the thick
of the fight. By the time the city was
taken the members of the different COM
mands had become separated. I CHANGED
to fall in with the colOr-bearer of our regi-
ment, John Morgan. Together we were
making our way toward the heart of the
city, expecting there to learn where the
regiment would encamp, when n woman
stepped from the door of a dwelling, and,
with many assurances that she could lead
us to the largest and richest store, fol-
lowed us up the street until we reached
the building. This we found had previous
ly been violently opened. Here the wOm-
an left US. entering the store, doubtless in
pursuit of booty. But we were not then
on a foraging expedition, and were far
more anxious to find headquarters than to
explore the interior of the Largest and
richest store" in Selma. As we were
hurrying along we heard a troop of cav
occupied by both Union and Confederate
troops. 1t had by this time grown so
dark that we had to await their approach
before determining to which side they be-
longed. They proved to be a battalion of
rebel cavalry, under command of their
Major. The color-staff, still carried by
John Morgan, informed them that we be-
longed to the victorious party. They halt
ed, telling US that they were completely
hemmed in by our men, and requested to
be directed to headquarters, that they
might surrender. We told them the Cen
eral was just ahead, and we would send
for him. Just then . Union cavairyman
rode up, and we deputized him to carry
word to headquarters that the battalion
was waiting an opportunity to surrender
At our request, they dismounted and laid
their guns down in the street. A detach-
ment of Union cavalry further up the
street just then espied some retreating
COnfederates. and, calling them to halt. be-
gan firing their carbines. We were within |
range. and, although not aimed Mt us, the |
balls began whistling about in unpleasant |
proximity to our ears. Evidently our sur |
battalion were of our own opin-
On, as they made rush for the shelter |
ng protection of great brick building |
which stood nearby. Morgan and myself |
elt that we were needed at headquarters |
n less time than it would take to go on
.oOt: so we each requisitiOned horse
rom those just abandoned, and we stood
lot upon the order of our going. We fin
lily found our regiment encamped Mt the
outskirts of the town, but our rebel cav
llrymen We never found
If any member of that battalion should
zee this, I should be pleased to hear from
lim, or to meet him at the Wilder Brigade
reunion in Chattanooga, and renew the
.rief acquaintance 80 abruptly terminated.
GEORGE PETRY, Co. g, 123d ILL.,, Robin
on, Ill,