The National tribune., 1910-06-02
WILSON'S FAMOUS RAID.
The March From Grayelly Springs to
Macon-The Fighting at Selma, Ala,
and Columbus, Ga.

Editor National Tribune: In January
end February, 1865. a cavalry force OF
1900 to $1,000 had gathered at GRAY
ely Springs, Ala This force was un-
der the command of Maj.-Gen. James
Wilson, and was TO capture the fortified
towns of Selma, Montgomery and Co
]umbus; also to destroy the pubic
works and lines of communication OF
the Confederate armies.
Up to the Spring of 1865 central Ala
bama and southwestern Georgia had
seen very few Yankees except as prison.
ers of war. Gen. Longs Second Cav
airy Division, to which the 123d i'll. be-
ionged. arrived at Gravelly Springs
some time in January, 1865, and went
into Winter quarters. We built log
cabins, and most of them had chimneys
and fireplaces, and we were comfort
able except as to rations. We-were on
short rations most of the time While
camped here. There was plenty of
corn, hay and oats for the horses, but
the boys did not get much to eat.
Steamboats, and barges came up the
Tennessee River, usually loaded with
feed for our horses. A detail would be
made to unload the vessels, and after
getting near the bottom would some
times find foodstuff smuggled in by
some of the suffers, which the boys
would appropriate.
The months of February and March
were very rainy, and the Tennessee
River was high The report was that
millions of dollars worth of grain was
swept away by the high water. With
our short rations and the gloomy
weather the boys were not in the best
of humor.
One. evening Gen. Wilson and staff
were riding thru the camp Of l think,
the ath Mich. Cav, when he was greet
ed with yells of hardtack and sowbelly.
The (-pTara1 and
dered the regiment to stand in line all
night
Near where our regiment was camped
was a level valley some two miles in
length and half a mile in width 1t
was here that the review took place.
The valley was full of moving horse
men, companies aSGa1i1s nd every rider
at atten! ilaO siments were
marclred.s lns Valley, passing Gen.
Wilson and THE division commanders.
1t was truly grand sight Finally the
time came for crossing the river. The
first and second bottoms of the Ten
Iessee Were covered with water, and
the boats came thru the fields to the
high ground before we could get
aboard.
1t was late in the evening when our
regiment got across, where we camped
two or three days before we started on
that famous raid.
washed out near the landing and partly
Hiled with water. Some of the boys
Faw something in the hole. which
proved to be a soldier boy of the 18th
Ind. Cav He was drowned. His watch
and some other trinkets were handed
over TO some members of that regiment
to send to his home.
On March % the Cavalry Corps start
ed for Selma, Ala. The weather. had
clearedsIp. and but for our growing
stomachs we all felt happy once more.
The country for some miles out was
pretty fair, but we soon struck the Sand
-dountafnS, and it was about all we
could do to get forage for ourselves
and horses. While crossing the Sand
Mountains we were visited by some of
the 1st Ala Cav (Union). They had
all they could do fighting rebel guer-
ri!ias.
Crossing the Black Warrier.
When crossing the Black Warrior
River which is a very rapid stream,
the horses had to swim. We were quite
"a distance above the landing, and our
horses were turned heads downstream
TO strike a landing place Once in
awhile some one would miss the land
ing. and down the stream he would go.
! saw several horses standing in the
river below without riders-neveT found
out whether any boys were drowned or
not.
A day or so later the 18th Ind. was in
advance. About noon sharp firing was
heard in front. The 123d was hurried
ly dismounted and went double-quick
until we arrived at a church. where
signs of a lively fight were on. Three
companies of the 18th had charged
brigade of Confederates, with heavy loss
TO themselves. Co. / lost 40 men killed
and wounded, including their Captain
ITaylor).
Our regiment was quickly formed in
line and marched some distance to the
front but the Johnnies were just dis
appearing over hill, and we returned
TO our horses At about noon Sunday.
April 2, we arrived in front of Selma.
Selma was strongly fortified, earth
works extending around from the Ala
hama River above to the river below, and
in front of the earthworks sharpened
cedar limbs were placed in the ground,
50 they had to be got over before
reaching the works. Inside of the
works was another line of forts, con-
nected by breastworks made of bales
of cotton. Behind these works were
1000 men commanded by Gen. Forrest
The task of charging and breaking
the Confederate lines was given TO the
Second Cavalry Division, commanded
formed in plain view of the rebel
.breastworks. The city could be seen in
the distance. We were afterward moved
farther around to the right and nearer
the works, but behind a ridge While
in this position the rebels commenced
shelling u.s. but their shells would go
over US and burst, perhaps 20 rods be-
hind our line. Our brigade was formed
with the 18th Ind. TO our right, the 9Sth
Ill. and four companies of the 72d Ind
on our left. The remainder of this last
regiment was protecting our rear from
a cavalry division of Johnnies.
Lieut. Ashmore was riding about 20
rods in our rear when shell came over
us. / looked back to see it explode
The Lieutenant seemed to be the object
for which the shell was making and Il
burst under him, but he rode right on
as tho nothing had happened
At 4 p. m. the bugle sounded the
charge, and then with cheer away we
went towards the rebel works The
Johnnies reserved their fire until W.
were within 100 yards or so of them
We were met with whitening fire, and
the command Of halt was given, but
we kept on and the works were soor
Jwon.
Entering Selma.
/ think the rebels gave way at frs
In front of the 18th Ind. There wal
heavy timber in rear of breastworkI
where the f23d went over, and tina
gave the Johpnies great protection il
their flight. After breathing a smell