• HOME • REGIMENTAL HISTORY • ROSTER • FLAGS • VETERANS ASSOCIATION • DESCENDANTS ASSOCIATION • BIBLIOGRAPHY • AWARDS • LINKS •

Assault & Capture of Selma, Alabama

  I beg to hand you the following report of the part taken by my brigade in the assault and capture of Selma on the 2^nd of April, 1865.

On the night of the 31^st March I was encamped ten miles north of Montivallo and on the night of the 1^st April I camped at Plantersville having marched 45 miles on that day.

    On the morning of the 2^nd I marched at 6-o clock taking the advance on the main Selma road. The 3^rd Ohio was my advance Regt. It easily drove what small force we met without delaying the column for a moment. About 6 miles from Selma I turned to the right taking a crossroad, which led to the Summerfield road. At about 3 PM I found myself in front of the works around Selma. In accordance with orders from Brig. Genl. Long, I sent the 3^rd Ohio to the right and rear to cover led horses and pack mules. The other three regiments, 4^th Ohio, 7^th Penna. And 4^th Michigan were dismounted and formed line about half a mile from the works. A strong skirmish line was pushed forward a few hundred yards in advance and was immediately engaged with the enemies skirmishers.

    At about 4 PM Major General Wilson accompanied by Brigadier General Long came forward to my skirmish line. After examining the ground for a few moments, General Wilson ordered an assault.

Wilson's Raid Corps Badge of a 7th Penna. Cavalryman

    The 1^st Brigade was moved to my right and my skirmishers from that direction were drawn in. By direction of General Long I left one regiment, the 4^th Mich., to support the Chicago Board of trade Battery. The 3^rd Ohio was still protecting the led animals and was at this moment skirmishing with Chalmers advance. This left me but two regiments for the assault, numbering in all 33 officers and 671 men. At about 5 PM the order was given to advance. The men moved forward with enthusiasm and in a perfect line until their left struck a swamp in which they were almost knee deep. This threw the right considerably in advance. The left of the 1^st Brigade came forward in the same manner and so I afterwards learned from the same cause, swamp in front of the outer flank. Thus the right of the 4^th Ohio and the left of the 123^rd Illinois gained the works first, the flanks sweeping forward as if the movement had been that of individual echelon. Corporal Booth, A Co. 4^th Ohio Cav was the first man inside the works. He was almost immediately after shot through the head.

   The works at the point of assault consisted of a breastwork or parapet from six to eight feet high with a ditch about five feet deep in front of which there was a well built palisade stretching along the entire line.

Selma Map (Click on image to enlarge)

   After entering the works we pushed up the line to the left clearing the rebels out of the bastions in which we captured a considerable amount of artillery until we arrived opposite the fort near the cotton gin which formed a portion of the inner line of works. This was immediately assaulted and carried. Three field pieces were captured in this work. There we again turned to the left and attacked and carried the works on the Plantersville road. Capturing five pieces of artillery, one of them a thirty pounder Parrott. 

   At this point I collected and reformed my command and about 11 PM bivouacked between the lines of works.

   As before stated, the total number engaged in the assault was thirty-three officers and six hundred and seventy one men. Of these nine officers and one hundred and fourteen men were killed and wounded. Lt. Col. Dobb commanding 4^th Ohio was I regret to say killed and Col. McCormick Commanding 7^th Penna. Cav. Was severely wounded.

   Each officer and soldier performed his duty well and nobly. It is therefore difficult for me to make special mention of any. The Gallant Corpl. Booth of the 4^th Ohio Cav was the first man in the enemy works but he fell in the moment of victory, shot through the head. Captain’s Moore and Richardson of the 4^th Ohio were among the first to enter the works and acted throughout with conspicuous gallantry. Major Burns, 4^th Mich. Cav. My A.A.A.G. and Major Greeno, 7^th Penna. Cav., my A.A.l.g. were also amongst the first to enter the works and acted in the most gallant manner throughout the entire action. I strongly and earnestly recommend the four above mentioned Officers for Brevet.

ROBT. H. G. MINTY

Col. 4^th Michigan, Commanding Brigade

Sergeant John Ennis, Company "A"

Regimental Color Bearer

John Ennis was mustered into Company "H"-"Lafayette Rifles"-14th Regiment Penna. Volunteer Infantry, as Second Lieutenant on April 30, 1861. He was mustered out on August 7, 1861. He was mustered into Company "A", 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry on September 28, 1861. He re-enlisted as a veteran at Huntsville, Alabama, November 1863. Appointed Color Sergeant. Wounded April 2, 1865, in assault on Fort at Selma, Alabama and died on April 7. He was a veteran of the Crimean War. Held several "Medals of Honor" and participated in the "Charge of the Light Brigade!"