Battle of Selma '07

[Jubilo]

The Battle of Selma held in Selma , Alabama April 12-15 ,2007 is a unique event and given the posts on dismounted cavalry ,it seems more than appropriate since Wilson's entire mounted force fought assaulted the works dismounted . Selma is unusual in that Forrest got routed , but was so late in the war that it ( to Wilson's chagrin ) , received little attention . Wilson's campaign deserves study but is generally ignored.
The event features earthworks on a portion of the actual battlefield , a magnificent Ball , a cemetery tour /commeration at the grave sites of Gen. William Hardee and C.S.S. Virginia officer Catesby -ap-Jones . While not an "authentic " event , the presence of Gen. Rambo , Col. Neel , the 33rd Alabama and generally the better reenactors of the deep South raise the standards of the Battle of Selma to the best of the national events .
Selma - go figure : A Yankee victory over Forrest ; a Civil War reenactment in a city best known for Civil Rights struggles . That the event has , with the exception of last year's cancellation , been an annual event for almost twenty years is in itself remarkable , and is perhaps an interesting example of quirky American excentricity .
All for the old flag,
David Corbett

Battle of Selma
www.battleofselma.com

[Spinster]

Mr. Corbett,

I do hope you are going to be able to make the journey South to be with us again this year!

Selma also offers a unique opportunity for the civilian man--especially those who have prior military experience, but who have passed the age of military service---that of a 'citizen of Selma':

Selma was protected by three miles of fortifications which ran in a semi-circle around the city. They were anchored on the north and south by the Alabama River. The works had been built two years earlier, and while neglected for the most part since, were still formidable. They were 8 to 12 feet high, 15 feet thick at the base, with a ditch 4 feet wide and 5 feet deep along the front. In front of this was a picket fence of heavy posts planted in the ground, 5 feet high, and sharpened at the top. At prominent positions, earthen forts were built with artillery in position to cover the ground over which an assault would have to be made.

Forrest's defenders consisted of his Tennessee escort company, McCullough's Missouri Regiment, Crossland's Kentucky Brigade, Roddey's Alabama Brigade, Armstrong's Mississippi Brigade, Gen. Dan Adam's state reserves, and the citizens of Selma who were "volunteered" to man the works. Altogether this force numbered less than 4,000, only half of who were dependable. The Selma fortifications were built to be defended by 20,000 men. Forrest's soldiers had to stand 10 to 12 feet apart in the works.

In addition to the opportunity to portray regular Federal or Confederate soldiers, those men with civilian kit and adequate weapons experience may contact event organizers about the opportunity to portray a 'citizen of Selma'.

This site also held the vast Selma Arsenal and received weapons by rail from the Bibb Naval Furnance, some hundred miles to the north. The large munitions works continued to function throughout the war in the face of grave shortages by some truely innovative methods.

Additional unique and documented civilian portrayals are in the works for this fine event. School programs begin bright and early Thursday morning.

http://www.battleofselma.com