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

[677] wounded, and for his energy in the performance of his duties at all times.

We assisted in capturing no less than eighteen pieces of artillery, all mounted and in position. We had no men to spare to guard prisoners, and they were ordered to the rear as fast as captured, and were gathered up by parties from our own and other commands. We only claim credit for assisting in the capture of all prisoners taken in the city. A large number of small arms were captured and broken up.

I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain — I have the honor to make the following report of property, &c., destroyed to date:

Two (2) miles railroad, four (4) railroad bridges, two (2) foundries, two (2) machine shops, one (1) saw-mill, one (1) turn-table, five (5) large collieries; number of small arms broken up estimated at seven hundred; number of prisoners turned over to Division Provost-Marshal, two hundred and eighty-five; number of pieces of artillery taken by this brigade alone, eight; also assisted in the capture of a number of other pieces with the Second brigade. Large details at work in Selma, destroying property for five days--no inventory taken.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

sir — In compliance with orders from Division Brigade Headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following as a report of the part taken by the Fourth Michigan cavalry under my command in the engagement of the second instant, which resulted in the capture of the city of Selma, Alabama.

The regiment moved from camp one mile north of Plantersville on the morning of the second, with a fighting force of four hundred and twenty men and twenty-four officers, and an aggregate strength of four hundred and forty-four; it being the rear regiment of the brigade that day, nothing of interest above the ordinary incidents of a march occurred, until arriving in front of the fortifications of the city of Selma, which point it reached about one o'clock, P. M., having marched a distance of twenty-two miles. The regiments were immediately formed in line, and I received orders from Colonel Minty, commanding brigade, to prepare to fight on foot, and moved tile regiment, dismounted for that purpose, but before being assigned a position in the line, I received orders countermanding the former, and directing me to move the command back to the horses, and to hold it in readiness to mount at a moment's notice, and to charge with the sabre as soon as the enemy's line should be broken; and in this position the command was held for the space of nearly two hours, and until a few minutes before the assault was made upon the enemy's position, when I received orders from Colonel Minty to move the regiment out dismounted, to act as support to the battery then in position on a slight eminence to the left of the road leading into the city, to the left of our line of battle, as then formed, with directions to remain and support the battery, and manoeuvre the command as circumstances might require. In this position the regiment drew for a few minutes the fire of both the enemy's guns operating in front of the Second division, but, by a flank movement of one battalion, the range of one of the enemy's guns was avoided, but the regiment continued to receive the special attention of their other gun up to the moment of the commencement of the assault upon their works. The command acted in this capacity until the first line of works was fully in possession of our forces, and the enemy pushed back into the woods, in rear of their breastworks, when I received orders from General Wilson to press forward and attack in flank that portion of the enemy's lines confronting the Fourth division and on our left, and which still disputed its entrance to the works. But before reaching the points of attack, I received orders from Colonel Minty (at the front) to mount the regiment and move forward as fast as possible. The horses were immediately ordered forward, but before he arrived I received a second order from General Wilson to move up the main road, dismounted, to charge the enemy's second line of works, from which a portion of our line had suffered a repulse. The regiment was formed for the charge, about sixty rods in front of the rebel line, with its right resting on the road, with the Third Ohio cavalry on our right; the order to advance was given and most splendidly executed, the whole line moving with the precision of a parade, and the sturdy bravery thus displayed proved too much for the weak-kneed Johnnies, for before we reached the breastworks they broke and fled in the wildest confusion, leaving nought of the chivalrous garrison, save a lone and decrepid chaplain to reward their efforts.

I immediately broke the regiment in column, and pushed forward at double-quick, until we reached the heart of the city, where we succeeded in capturing one hundred and fifty-two prisoners, and met the advance of the Fourth division just entering the town from the other side. The casualties in the regiment was one, wounded by shell-Edward Ludlow, Company “E.” --in arm severely.