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

General Fry has been paroling men of various commands to go to their homes, and there remain undisturbed, on condition of not taking up arms against the United States until properly relieved of the obligation of their paroles. He has kept a register of all men so paroled. It was necessary to do this to get the soldiers out of the city, there having been some depredations committed. There is a question as to the validity of these paroles. Shall they cease to be issued, or the form be changed?

I arrived this morning; have sent the torpedo operator who laid the obstructions in the Savannah river down to remove them; will take them four to six days. Will send communication to General Grover to-morrow morning by Captain Lamar, of General McLaws staff. Atlanta has rations enough if the soldiers have not appropriated them to supply the paroled men of Lee's and Johnston's armies. The citizens fear a disturbance should Wheeler's men pass this way, and it may be necessary for their protection, as well as the vast amount of government property here, to have a dismounted force sent by rail, to garrison the place, while the troops are in transitu. Lee's army has mostly passed through Many of Johnston's army are passing across the river, higher up in the direction of Washington. Shall I order supplies to this place from Savannah? There ought to be a sufficient amount accumulated here in the event of the river's falling, to hold out till the Central Railroad is repaired.

General — I took this place by assault at six P. M. on the second ; captured twenty field guns, two thousand prisoners, and large quantity of stores, besides all the iron works north of here.

Forrest, Dick Taylor, Adams, and Armstrong succeeded in getting out in the dark, by wading the swamps on the east side of the city. The place is strongly fortified with two lines of bastion forts, the outer one with continuous line of stockade from river to river.

The conduct of my troops was magnificent; loss not very heavy; General Long wounded slightly in the head ; Colonel Dobb killed; Colonels Miller, McCormick, and Biggs wounded.

I shall burn the arsenal, naval foundry, and everything of service to the rebels; but hold the place for you as long as I can do so without jeopardizing my command, or the campaign.

Three brigades of Forrest's are west of the Cahawba. I shall go after him as soon as I hear definitely from you. Hurry forward your gunboats and transports; relieve me of my capture, and let me finish up the balance of the rebel cavalry. I may possibly move to Montgomery, if I find that I can do so soon enough.

General — I have about two thousand prisoners of war, a number of them first and second class militia, captured at this place, besides the sick and wounded in the hospitals in this city. I am willing to release them at once on parole, subject to exchange hereafter, provided the necessary arrangements can be made. I make this proposition to save the country through which they will be compelled to march north from the injury that will necessarily be inflicted upon it by the impressment of supplies for so large a body of men, and in the hope that the aged and respectable gentlemen of this city so indiscreetly impressed into its defence may be spared the toilsome and painful march they will be compelled to make, unless my proposition is accepted by the Confederate authorities. This communication will be handed you by Captain Hosea of my staff, who is authorized to enter into the necessary arrangements, and who, if granted, can explain more fully my views.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed)

（Special Field Order No. 16.)

The Brevet Major-General commanding congratulates the officers and men of the cavalry corps upon their late signal victory. After a march of nearly three hundred miles over bad roads, through a sterile and mountainous country, passing wide and rapid rivers, you in twelve days found yourselves in front of Selma, with its arsenals, foundries, and workshops, the most important city in the south-west. The enemy attempted to delay our march at Ebenezer Church, and paid the penalty of his temerity by leaving three guns and two hundred prisoners in your hands. Selma lay before you surrounded by two lines of entrenchments, the outer one continuous, flanked by impassable swamps, covered by stockades, and defended by seven thousand troops under the command of Lieutenant-General Forrest. Like an avalanche the intrepid soldiers of the Second division