Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[670] march. The destruction of eight railroad depots, store houses, water tanks, &c.; three railroads and two covered bridges, and innumerable smaller bridges and culverts, three large cotton factories, saddle factory, nitre works, tanneries, three foundries, two machine shops, two rolling mills, and a great number of smaller manufacturing establishments. Where it was possible provisions captured from the enemy were given to the poor. The casualties in the brigade are ten killed, sixty-four wounded, and sixteen missing.

The brigade did all that it was ordered to do, but, considering the nature of the expedition, the temptations offered, and the injuries many of our men had previously received as prisoners, I have less pride in what was accomplished than in what was omitted. The steadiness, valor, and self-denial of the men are beyond my praise. It gives me pleasure to acknowledge my great obligations to regimental commanders and to the several members of my staff.

I remain, Major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Major — I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my division from the time of leaving Chickasaw, Alabama, on the twenty-second day of March, until the capture of Selma, Alabama, on the second day of April:

On the morning of the twenty-second of March, my command moved from Chickasaw, the train having preceded it two days. My progress was delayed by the pontoon train, which was placed under my charge, and the excessive badness of the roads that we were forced to travel. My division arrived at Montevallo on the thirty-first of March, having crossed Buzzard Roost mountains, forded the deep and rapid waters of the Black and Little Warrior, and crossed the Cahawba on a narrow railroad bridge. At Montevallo I found the Fourth division were a few miles in advance and skirmishing with the enemy.

I went into camp near the town. On the morning of the first of April,I moved out on the main Selma road and struck the enemy near Randolph, and commenced skirmishing with him. The Seventy-second Indiana volunteers were in the advance, and four companies were ordered forward and instructed to press the enemy vigorously and charge them whenever they attempted to stand. Skirmished briskly until the enemy reached Ebenezer Church, six miles north of Plantersville, where they were found in force and seemingly determined on making a stand.

The remainder of the Seventy-second Indiana was brought forward, dismounted, and formed on the left of the road. The enemy's lines were soon broken and a charge was made by four companies of the Seventeenth Indiana volunteers, with sabres, under Lieutenant-Colonel Frank White. They charged over a mile, cutting through the enemy's lines and reaching their artillery, four pieces, which had been firing on them heavily as they advanced. Our charging force being much scattered, and a second and stronger line of battle confronting them and pouring a heavy fire upon them, they were forced to turn to the left and cut their way out, resulting in the loss, however, of Captain Taylor and sixteen men, who charged through and were either killed or fell into the enemy's hands.

The enemy commenced falling back immediately, and the Fourth division, striking them on the left, they fled in confusion, leaving three pieces of artillery in our hands, also a number of prisoners. They succeeded in carrying off most of their killed and wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Frank White, Seventeenth Indiana volunteers, distinguished himself greatly by his gallantry in this action.

No further opposition was met that evening, and I went into camp at Plantersville.

On the morning of the second of April I moved at six A. M. on the main Selma road, meeting with but little resistance. When within six miles of the city, I moved to the right, taking the Summerfield and Selma road, and at three P. M. the head of the column arrived in front of the works on the south-west side of the city. My command was at once dismounted, taking position on the right and left of the road. During this time I was engaged in a personal inspection of the enemy's works, with a view of learning, if possible, their relative strength and position. While my lines were forming, the enemy kept up a rapid firing with his artillery, which, although well directed, did but little damage. A short time before the formation was completed I addressed a note to Major E. B. Beaumont, A. A. General, cavalry corps, M. D. M., stating that I thought that it was most too large an undertaking for one division alone to assault the works in my front; but that if General Upton, who was just coming with his division into position on my left, on the main Selma road, would leave a thin line of skirmishers in his front and place his division in rear of mine, that I would lead with my division in the assault. At this time the Brevet Major-General commanding cavalry corps, M. D. M., rode up, who first agreed to this proposition, as I understood, but afterwards changed his mind, and stated that he would have General Upton, as soon as he got into position, push forward on the left, at a signal gun from his battery; at which time I must also advance with my division. About this time frequent reports were brought to me that there was a force of rebel cavalry, estimated from five hundred to one thousand men, skirmishing with my rear and