NAME.

RANK.

REGIMENT.

BY WHOM MENTIONED.

REMARKS.

eral Long for promotion.... To be Brevet Brigadier-General.

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

[By Telegraph from Augusta, Georgia, May 3, 1865.] Brevet Major-General Wilson, Macon:

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?

E. UPTON,

Brevet Major-General United States Volunteers.

[Telegraph, Augusta, May 3, 1865.]

Major-General Wilson, Commanding Cavalry Corps, Macon

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.

E. UPTON,

Brevet Major-General United States Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, M. D. M.,
SELMA, April 4, 1865.

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 waling 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.

HEADQUARTERS, CAVALRY CORPS, M. D. M.,
SELMA, April 5, 1865.

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 ne cessary 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) J. H. WILSON, Brevet Major-General. Lieutenant-General RICHARD TAYLOR,

Commanding Confederate Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, Demopolis or elsewhere. (Official) J. H. WILSON,

(Declined.)

Brevet Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, M. D. M.
SELMA, ALABAMA, April 7, 1865.

(Special Field Order No. 16.)
The Brevet Major-General commanding con-
gratulates 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 coun-
try, 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 Ebene-
zer Church, and paid the penalty of his temerity
by leaving three guns and two hundred prison-
ers in your hands. Selma lay before you sur-
rounded 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

swept over the defences on the Summerfield road, while the Fourth division carried those on the Plantersville road. The enemy, astonished and disheartened, broke from their strong works, and Selma was fairly won.

The enemy, under Chalmers, attempted to drive in the Second division picket line during the battle, and go to the rescue of the rebel garrison, but their efforts were futile, and they were compelled to retreat rapidly beyond the Cahawba. The First division, in the mean time, was making hard marches, harassing in front and rear the bewildered rebels under Jackson. The wagon train had been left behind, that your march might not be impeded, but has arrived in safety, its guard having frustrated all attempts of the enemy to delay its progress. Soldiers, you have been called upon to perform long marches and endure privations, but your General relied upon and believed in your capacity and courage to undergo every task imposed upon you. Trusting in your valor, discipline, and armament, he did not hesitate to attack entrenchments believed by the rebel leaders to be impregnable, and which might well have caused double your numbers of veteran infantry to hesitate. You have fully justified his opinions, and may justly regard yourselves invincible. Your achievements will always be considered among the most remarkable in the annals of cavalry. The fruits of your victory are numerous and important. Twentysix field g guns and one thirty-pounder Parrott captured on the field of battle, and over seventy pieces of heavy ordnance in the arsenal and foundry; two thousand prisoners, a number of battle-flags, the naval foundry and machine shops, the extensive arsenal, filled with every variety of military munitions, and large quantities of commissary and quartermaster's stores in depot.

During your march you have destroyed seven iron works and foundries, several factories and collieries, many railroad bridges and trestle works, and large quantities of cotton. While you exult in the success which has crowned your arms, do not forget the memory of those who died that you might conquer. By command of Brevet Major-General Wil

gomery, and restore the State to the Union. You will find a most admirable condition of affairs, plenty of forage and provisions. Half of your force can complete the work after Mobile is taken.

My orders were to make a demonstration towards Selma and Tuscaloosa, and then to act as I might think best. Having destroyed those places, and everything of value between here and the Tennessee river, and in consideration of General Grant's late victory, and the capture of Richmond, as well as your capacity to effectually dispose of the rebels in this State, I have determined to move at once and rapidly towards Columbus and Macon. If I can destroy the arsenals at those places, the rebel armies must fall to pieces for want of munitions. There are but few troops to resist my march. My command is in splendid condition, every man mounted, plenty of ammunition, and in splendid spirits.

Forrest is between the Cahawba and Demopolis, unless he has moved to follow me. I am sorry I have not been able to hear from you. I have already delayed longer than I expected in this region.

In evacuating this place the rebels destroyed eighty-five thousand bales of cotton. We have destroyed trains, stores, and everything else of value. We captured twenty-six field guns, thirty-pounder Parrott, and two thousand six hundred prisoners at Selma, five field guns here and some prisoners.

My command will march from here early tomorrow. This will be handed to you by Sergeant Bailey, Fourth Michigan cavalry. Please have him rewarded, and return him as soon as you can.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant
J. H. WILSON,

[In Cipher.]

Brevet Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, M. D. M.
COLUMBIA, GEORGIA, April 17, 1865.

Major-General E. R. S. Canby, Mobile, Alabama,
Commanding Officer at Pensacola:

My forces captured this place by a most gallant attack at ten o'clock last night; twentyfive men killed and wounded. Captured about fifteen hundred prisoners, many colors, twentyfour field guns, and one gunboat, carrying six rifled seven-inch. Generals Cobb and Buford escaped in the dark. Major General Upton and Brigadier-General Winslow deserve the highest commendation for their personal intrepidity and good management.