Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Long, Eli 1837-

Military officer; born in Woodford county, Ky., June 16, 1837; was educated at a military school in Frankfort, Ky.; and in 1856 was appointed a second lieutenant in the 1st United States Cavalry. He served in campaigns against the Indians, and in May, 1861, was made captain. He did good service throughout the Civil War, rising rapidly until he commanded a division; in March, 1865, he was brevetted major-general of volunteers; and in August, 1867, was retired with the rank of major-general, United States army, because of wounds received in action. General Long's most brilliant exploit was the [469] capture by cavalry of Selma, Ala., April 2, 1865. Selma was defended by earthworks intended to resist infantry. Thirty pieces of artillery in position, with a gar rison of about 3,000 of General Forrest's cavalry, and 2,000 militia. The works were taken within a half-hour after the advance was sounded. Three hundred and twenty officers and men out of 1,250 engaged were killed and wounded. Two thousand seven hundred prisoners, 200 pieces of artillery, and a vast amount of war materials were the result of the capture of this place.