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 Jas. H. BACON, 0. H. LA GRANGE, Colonel Commanding. A. A. G., First Cavalry Division, M. D. M. OPERATIONS OF THE SECOND DIVISION. HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, SELMA, ALA., April 7, 1865. 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: 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 thein, 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. LieutenantColonel 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 inOn the morning of the twenty-second of spection of the enemy's works, with a view of March, my command moved from Chickasaw, the learning, if possible, their relative strength and train having preceded it two days. My pro- position. While my lines were forming, the gress was delayed by the pontoon train, which enemy kept up a rapid firing with his artillery, was placed under my charge, and the excessive which, although well directed, did but little badness of the roads that we were forced to damage. A short time before the formation travel. My division arrived at Montevallo on was completed I addressed a note to Major E. the thirty-first of March, having crossed Buz- B. Beaumont, A. A. General, cavalry corps, M. D. zard Roost mountains, forded the deep and M., stating that I thought that it was most too rapid waters of the Black and Little Warrior, large an undertaking for one division alone to and crossed the Cahawba on a narrow railroad assault the works in my front; but that if Genbridge. At Montevallo I found the Fourth di-eral Upton, who was just coming with his 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 vision 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 firing into the pack stock and led animals, and threatening to make an attack in force. Fearing that some confusion would result among the led animals by this attack in my rear, and the enemy gaining strength in my front every moment, I determined to make the assault at once, without any further delay or waiting for the signal gun on the left. I moved forward at five P. M., my entire line advancing promptly, and in less than twenty-five minutes after the command to advance had been given, the works | were ours." ing by and inquired of my aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Deiring, if we had carried the works. I had the satisfaction of hearing the answer in the affirmative. The Chicago B. T. Battery, commanded by Captain George J. Robinson, occupied a position on the hill in the rear of my line. Their rapid and effective firing contributed greatly to the demoralization of the enemy. It was afterwards reported to me that this battery did good and efficient service in assisting the driving of the enemy through and beyond the town. Although not personally cognizant of the part it took throughout the entire action, I have no doubt, from the manner in which it had always executed its work hitherto, that it did everything possible to be done. Our loss, although slight compared to the work accomplished, would have been much less had the Fourth Michigan cavalry charged as I ordered on the left of the line in front of the battery, and thus covered a work which enfiladed our whole line, instead of remaining as it did, through some mistake of the regimental or brigade commander, with and in support of the battery. The works carried consisted of a heavy line of earthworks, eight to twelve feet in height and fifteen feet in thickness at the base, with a ditch in front, partly filled by water, four feet in width and five feet deep, and in front of this a stockade or picket of heavy posts planted firmly in the ground, five feet high and sharpened at the top. Four heavy forts, with artillery in position, also covered the ground over which the men advanced. The ground was rough, and a deep ravine had to be passed before the works could be reached. The men fully understood the difficulties before them; there was no flinching; all seemed confident of their ability to overcome them. As soon as we I cannot, in justice to the division, refrain uncovered the hill about six hundred yards from stating what the Brevet Major-General from the earthworks, the enemy opened a rapid commanding cavalry corps must know to be a and destructive fire of musketry and artillery fact, that this was the decisive fight of the camon the line, but we moved forward steadily until paign-that the crushing and demoralizing dewithin short range, when a rapid fire was feat here given to the Confederate forces opopened by our Spencers, and with a cheer the posing us contributed in no small degree to the men started for the works on a run. Sweeping success of our expedition, and in fact by deforward in solid line, over fences and ravines-feating them so badly as to render any further scaling the stockade and on the works with re-resistance on their part out of the question, and sistless force, the enemy fighting stubbornly-made the latter portion of the campaign commany of them clubbing their guns, but forced to retreat in the greatest disorder-our men continuing in pursuit through the city and taking many prisoners. paratively a work of ease. In this affair the entire division did their whole duty, than which no greater praise can be given to a soldier. The First brigade, commanded by Colonel A. O. The troops confronting me behind the breast-Miller, Seventy-second Indiana volunteers, owing works were composed of a portion of General to longer practice, and being more accustomed Forrest's command, which are regarded as the to fighting on foot, probably kept a better line best troops in the West. According to General than the Second brigade, but so far as courage Forrest's own statement, under a flag of truce is concerned and the time that different regito the Brevet Major-General commanding cav-ments and portions of the division approached alry corps, M. D. M., his force exceeded the assaulting force in numbers, my entire force in the charge, fifteen hundred and fifty officers and men. The carrying of these works and the town by my division, resulted in the capture of over two thousand prisoners, although this division did not stop or take time to pick them up or gather them together, and only between six hundred and one thousand were collected by the Provost Marshals, their guards, and other officers and men not otherwise occupied. We captured no less than twenty pieces of artillery in position, including one thirty-pound Parrott, and a large number of small arms were taken and destroyed. the works, no appreciable difference could be seen, or was reported to me. When it is remembered that it was a depot of ammunition, which supplied a large portion of the so-called Southern Confederacy, the importance of its capture cannot well be magnified. Where all portions of the command have done their duty so faithfully and well during the entire march, it would seem unjust to make special mention of individuals; but I feel compelled to mention a few instances of gallantry in action where the persons mentioned here had a favorable opportunity of distinguishing themselves, and whose conduct in action came under my own personal observation. Of this class I must mention CapWhen within one hundred and fifty yards of tain T. W. Scott, Ninety-eighth Illinois volunthe works, on the Summerfield and Selma road, teers, my A. A. A. General; Captain W. W. I was wounded and carried off the field. A Shoemaker, Fourth O. V. cavalry, A. D. C.; short time after which General Wilson was rid-Lieutenant Henry Deiring, Fourth O. V. cav alry, A. D. C., and Lieutenant S. S. Culbertson, Nineteenth United States Infantry, Assistant Com. Musters, who were by my side, and deported themselves during the whole fight with all the courage of true and gallant soldiers; Captain W. B. Gates, Third O. V. cavalry, Provost-Marshal; Capt. J. N. Squire, Third O. V. cavalry, A. A. I. General; Captain P. B. Lewis, Third O. V. cavalry, Topographical Engineer; Lieutenant J. B. Hayden, Eleventh O. V. cavalry, A. C. S.; Lieutenant W. N. McDonald, One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois volunteers, Ord. Officer; and Captain Hartraupt, Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry, commanding escort, were on duty in other portious of the field under the enemy's fire, and distinguished themselves for the faithful execution of their orders." For gallant services, Colonel A. O. Miller, Seventy-second Indiana volunteers, commanding First brigade (severely wounded); Colonel R. H. G. Minty, Fourth Michigan cavalry, commanding Second brigade; Colonel C. C. McCormick, commanding Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry (severely wounded); Colonel J. G. Vail, commanding Seventeenth Indiana volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Briggs, commanding One Hundred and Twenty-third Illinois volunteers (severely wounded); Lieutenant-Colonel E. Kitchell, commanding Ninety-eighth Illinois volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Frank White, Seventeenth Indiana volunteers; and Lieutenant-Colonel G. W. Dobbs, Fourth Ohio volunteer cavalry, killed in action. I would respectfully, but most urgently, recommend Captain A. O. Miller and R. H. G. Minty to the rank of Brigadier-General; the others to Brevet BrigadierGenerals. To the Surgeon-in-Chief of the division, Frederick Carpe, much praise is due for his prompt attention to the wounded, and his able administration of the Medical Department of the division; Major Archer, Third Ohio volunteers, commanding train guard; Captain S. B. Coe, Third Ohio volunteer cavalry; A. A. Q. M. Lieutenant T. G. Pattin, Seventeenth Indiana volunteers; Lieutenant John Bennett, Fourth Michigan cavalry, and the pioneers under their charge, are entitled to great credit for the successful manner in which the division and pontoon train were brought through, and for their untiring industry on all occasions; and the division is, in fact, mainly indebted to their individual exertions for the presence of the train with them at this time. To Captain T. W. Scott, Ninety-eighth Illinois volunteers, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General of the division, for his industry, energy, and sound judgment, and faithful performance of his manifold duties under all circumstances, I am greatly indebted, and would respectfully and most urgently recommend as only a just recompense for his gallant services that he receive the appointment of captain and A. A. General United States Volunteers, or that his services in some other manner be fittingly acknowledged by such promotion as can be granted him, consistent with the interests of the service. Private Henry Prince, Orderly, and Bugler Henry Grible, Fourth Ohio volunteer cavalry, were with me during the entire action, and distinguished themselves by their coolness and bravery while in discharge of their duties. I regret to report the death of Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Dobbs, Fourth Ohio volunteer cavalry, and the other brave officers and men who fell upon the field of battle, whose names will be found in the list of casualties here appended. But it is a proud and consoling thought in the remembrance held of them by their friends to know that they died a noble death, their faces to the enemy and battling for their country's cause. For individual acts of gallantry which did not come under my personal observation, I would respectfully refer you to the accompanying reports of brigade and regimental commanders. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, To Major E. B. BEAUMONT, Report of casualties in the Second division, Cavalry corps, in the action of April first, 1865, near Plantersville, Alabama. Report of Casualties in Second division Cavalry corps, M. D. M., at Selma, Alabama, April second, 1865. HEADQUARTERS SEVENTEENTH INDIANA MOUNTED' Captain O. F. Bane. A. A. A. G., First brigade, SIR-I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the affair near Bogues Creek, on April first, 1865, and the taking of Selma on April second, 1865. On the first instant the regiment was the third in the order of march of the brigade, which was following the retreating enemy in the direction of Selma, driving them, and continually skirmishing with them. The advance had pushed them easily until near Bogues Creek (twenty miles from Selma). Here they made a stand, and offered a good deal of resistance to our further advance. Four companies of this regiment being armed with sabres (companies "E," "G," "H," and "I"), were ordered forward by Colonel A. O. Miller, commanding First brigade, Second division, Cavalry corps, to charge the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel F. White took command of them, and moved forward, charging the enemy, who were engaging our skirmishers, overtaking Patterson's regiment, and running past them, sabering a number of them. Dashing on, they struck the enemy's line of battle about one mile from where the charge commenced, charged on and cut through them under a fierce fire, and reached the enemy's artillery (four pieces) which had been firing on them as they advanced. Here Lieutenant-Colonel White, finding another line of battle of the enemy confronting him, and firing on him, having so few men, and being so far from support, turned off the road into the woods to the left, charging on the enemy there, and cutting his way out with his command, with the exception of Captain VOL. XI-Doc. 43 Taylor and sixteen enlisted men. The captain had command of the advance company ("G"), and did not hear the order to turn off the road, so he charged on past the artillery, cutting right and left among the enemy, until shot down by them. Of the sixteen enlisted men following him, six were killed, five wounded, and five were taken prisoners. Lieutenant-Colonel White having to fall back with his command, could not retain or bring off the captured artillery. When the enemy afterward fell back they left one twelve-pounder howitzer on the field, one wheel being broken by the horses rushing against it in charging. There were about one hundred of the enemy captured, but being unable to guard them, they escaped, with the exception of about sixteen or twenty. The The four companies that took part in the affair numbered about two hundred men. loss was: Killed, one commissioned and seven enlisted; wounded, eleven enlisted; missing, five enlisted. The enemy's loss cannot be ascertained. It cannot have been less than fifty killed and wounded, far more than that number having been sabred. They got their killed and wounded off the field, with the exception of one killed and ten wounded, who fell into our hands. We camped for the night near Plantersville. On the second instant the march toward Selma was resumed, and we marched on the Plantersville road until within six miles of Selma. We then moved on a cross-road to the Summerfield road, and advanced by it. On arriving within sight of the enemy's works that encirled Selma, we were dismounted by order, and formed in single rank in line of battle. The line was the enemy from all along the line, and taking all charged shortly afterwards, and the regiment placed on the right of the brigade. At about five P. M. we were ordered to commence the attack on the works, and we advanced across an open field and swamp, across a deep ravine, and up to the enemy's works, under a terrible fire from the enemy's line behind the works. As we advanced, we delivered our fire rapidly-sissippi regiment, with the colonel, lieutenantdrove the enemy from their breastworks, and breaking through the palisades, rushed over the works and through the embrasures of the forts, cheering and firing. The enemy, driven back, fought stubbornly. The enemy's batteries fired with seemingly little effect, injuring but few of our men. The left of the regiment was opposite to, and took, forts numbers fifteen and sixteen, and the centre and right to fort number seventeen, and the lunette near fort number eighteen, and fort number nineteen. The enemy having fallen back to the railroad, which served them as a breastwork (being about three feet higher than the adjacent ground), we reformed, our line preparatory to advancing on them. At this time Colonel Miller being woundedI being next in rank, assumed command of the brigade, and turned over the command of the regiment to Lieutenant-Colonel Frank White. We lost as follows: Killed-Enlisted men 12; total killed 12. Wounded-Commissioned officers 7, enlisted men 73; total wounded 80. Aggregate killed and wounded 92. To all the officers and men engaged I return my heartfelt thanks for their unflinching gallantry. Respectfully submitted, Lieutenant Commanding Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers. HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION CAVALRY CORPS, M. D. M. Sufficient credit cannot be given to the officers and men of the regiment for their gallantry and for the promptitude in which every order was executed. To mention acts of individual bravery, would be to speak of every man of the regiment engaged. Special mention, however, is due Lieutenant-Colonel Frank White and the Captain T. W. Scott, A. A. A. General, Second officers and men of the four companies engaged on the first instant, for their bravery and for the gallant manner in which they broke through the enemy's lines, ran over their artillery and sabred their men, and then in the face of such overwhelming numbers, cut their way out. For the lists of killed and wounded and official figures, I respectfully refer you to Lieuterant Colonel F. White, to whom I turned over the regiment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Colonel Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers. Captain O. F. Bane, A. A. A. G., First brigade, SIR-On the second instant the command of the regiment having been turned over to me by Colonel J. G. Vail shortly after passing through the enemy's works, and the enemy being in force in our front behind the railroad embankment and in the interior forts, I moved forward with the regiment, charged and drove the enemy from their position, and followed them into town so closely that they had no time to rally. On assuming command the regiment almost deployed as skirmishers, held all the ground between the Summerfield road on the left, and the enemy's works on the right, and in advancing into town we moved parallel with the western line of defences of the town, and inside of them, driving division. CAPTAIN-I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the engagements of April first and second: On the morning of the first instant we moved at 5:30 o'clock from our camp near Randolph, and after passing through that place our advance struck the enemy and commenced skirmishing. The Seventy-second Indiana volunteers were in the advance, and four companies of that regiment under charge of Major L. S. Kilborn, were sent forward with instruction to press the enemy as vigorously as possible. This was done so effectively, charging them whenever they made a stand, that although they were skirmishing all the time our columu was scarcely halted, until we arrived near a little station on the railroad, some five miles north of Plantersville, where we found the enemy iu force, and seemingly determined to make a stand. The remainder of the Seventy-second Indiana Volunteers was here brought forward, dismounted, and formed on the left of the road, and at the same time I directed Colonel Vail, commanding Seventh Indiana volunteers, to send forward four companies armed with sabres to charge the enemy as soon as his lines were broken. They reported under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Frank White, and the Seventy-second Indiana volunteers having broken the first line of the enemy, Colonel White was at once ordered to charge the re |