Battle of Selma

Battle of Selma Began: April 2, 1865 Ended: Same day Location: Dallas County, Alabama Theater: Western Theater Campaign: Wilson’s Raid in Alabama and Georgia Outcome: Union victory Combatants Commanders James H. Wilson Major General, USA Nathan Bedford Forrest Lieutenant General, CSA Strength 13,500 5,000 est. Casualties 319 2,700

Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson, commanding three divisions of Union cavalry, about 13,500 men, led his men south from Gravelly Springs, Alabama, on March 22, 1865. Opposed by Confederate Lt. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, Wilson skillfully continued his march and eventually defeated him in a running battle at Ebenezer Church, on April 1. Continuing towards Selma, Wilson split his command into three columns. Although Selma was well-defended, the Union columns broke through the defenses at separate points forcing the Confederates to surrender the city, although many of the officers and men, including Forrest and Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor, escaped. Selma demonstrated that even Forrest, whom some had considered invincible, could not stop the unrelenting Union movements deep into the Southern Heartland. (NPS summary)