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Don’t Have a Repeater? No Problem. Our

scenario incorporates opportunities for

everyone.

WILSON’S RAIDERS150th Anniversary Battle of Selma April 25-26, 2015

JOIN US FOR A UNIQUE EXPERIENCEMen With Repeaters or Breechloaders Are Especially Encouraged To Participate.

In the fading twilight of April 2, 1865, Union and Confederate forces clashed in a fierce and bloody fight for possession of the City of Selma, Alabama. The Union cavalry force whose courage sealed the city’s fate were known as Wilson’s Raiders. With

the exception of a handful of men

armed with Henrys and about 500

troopers who were armed with

breechloaders designed to fire metallic cartridge ammunition, the entire 13,000 man force was equipped with

Spencer repeaters. These repeater equipped troopers stormed the city’s defenses, scaled the palisades,

bounded over the entrenchments, and

blasted their way to victory.This April, you are invited to

participate with us as we portray the dismounted troopers of Wilson’s Cavalry Corps at the 150th Anniversary Battle of Selma. Men with repeating or breechloading weapons are especially encouraged to attend. The unit is, however, open to all participants. Don’t miss your chance to take part in

a special scenario designed to show

the public just what Wilson’s Raiders could do. (See More Below)

FREE AMMO

Each participant in the

company with a repeating rifle will

receive 100 cartridges in their

choice of 44 WCF / 45 LC /

56-50 Spencer.

REPEATER COMPANY

SpencersHenrys

BreechloadersCarbines

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For those with cavalry uniforms or equipment, or who want to add an item

or two to enhance their cavalryman / mounted infantryman impression for this event, the following are some basic guidelines:

Jacket/Coat: Cavalry Shell Jacket Cavalry Shell w/o Taping

Sack Coat Untrimmed US Shell JacketTrousers: Any Sky Blue TrousersHeadwear: Black Slouch Hat Forage Cap Hardee HatBelts: Mounted Services Waistbelt

Leathers: Any CW Period Carbine Box Blakeslee Patent Box CW Period (Inf) Box w/o Strap Pistol Box Cap Pouch (if needed)Other: US Canteen Boots or BrogansLongarms: (in order of preference) Spencer (carbine or rifle) Henry Any CW Period Repeater Any CW Breechloader Muzzleloading Carbine Double Barrel Shotgun 2-Band CW Rifle Musket or ML RifleSideArms: Any CW Period Revolver

WEAPONS

In Order of Preference:

Spencer (carbine or rifle)HenryOther CW Period RepeaterBreechloaders (all types)Muzzleloading CarbineDouble Barrel Shotguns2-Band ML RiflesMuskets + ML Rifles

Enlisted Men are

encouraged to carry

Revolvers.

Especially those without

Repeating Rifles.

But I usually do infantry?No problem. With only a little

effort, one can easily adjust one’s uniform and equipment in order to better portray either a cavalryman or mounted infantryman.

If you have standard US infantry equipment, you can ditch your bayonet, wear your cartridge box on

your waistbelt, strap on your CW

period revolver, and don your favorite CW period brimmed hat.

Impression Guidelines:

Individuals or whole units, everyone is welcome.

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DefensesSelma 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 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 palisade 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.

DefendersGeneral Forrest's defenders consisted

of a few regiments of CS infantry and cavalry, several artillery batteries, state reserve units, and the citizens of Selma who were "volunteered" to man the works. Altogether this force numbered less than 4,000. The fortifications were built to be defended by 20,000 men. Forrest's soldiers were stretched thin in order to protect them.

AttackersGeneral Wilson's force arrived in front

of Selma on the afternoon of April 2. Long's division was placed across the Summerfield Road with the Chicago Board of Trade Battery in support. Upton's division was placed across the Range Line Road with Battery I, 4th U.S. Artillery in support. Altogether, Wilson had 9,000 troops available for the assault.

Plan for Attack The Federal commander's plan was for Upton to launch an assault after dark to penetrate the Confederate right

while Long’s division attacked the left. A single gun from Upton's artillery would signal the attack.

The Battle

At 5 p.m. Long's ammunition train was suddenly attacked by elements of Forrest's scattered forces attempting to get into Selma. His plans deranged anyway, Long decided to commence his assault.

Long's dismounted troopers attacked in a single rank supported by artillery fire. The Confederates replied with heavy small arms and artillery fire of their own. The Federals suffered many casualties, including General Long himself, but would not be stopped. Once the Union troops reached the works, there was vicious hand-to-hand fighting. But the Union troopers kept up a heavy fire with their Spencer repeaters and in less than 30 minutes, Long's men had captured the outer works.

Meanwhile, General Upton, observing Long's movement, ordered his division forward. At the palisade, Upton’s dismounted troopers were obliged to surmount the works in “leap frog” fashion, the leading men bending down or leaning against the logs so that others could stand on their backs or climb over their shoulders in order to get over.

Once inside, Upton’s men cleared the works and opened a passage so that mounted men from the division could charge through.

When the outer works fell, General Wilson himself led a mounted charge

toward the inner line of works. By that time, however, the Confederates had rallied and they poured a devastating fire into the charging Union column. This broke up the charge and sent General Wilson sprawling to the ground when his horse was shot from under him. The general quickly remounted and ordered an combined assault by several Federal regiments, both mounted and on foot.

The fighting was heavy, but by 7 p.m., the superior numbers of Union troops had managed to flank the Southern positions causing them to abandon their defenses and take to their heels. In the darkness, the Union soldiers rounded up hundreds of prisoners and chased the fleeing Rebels to the river where many escaped by swimming across. Altogether, Wilson lost around 359 men in the assault, while the Confederates lost a larger number to killed and wounded in addition to over 2,700 men to capture.

BATTLE HISTORY

What About My Unit? We realize that many units have members who may not own a repeater, breechloader, or carbine. Units with mixed weaponry are

welcome to participate with us. We will be structuring our unit and activities to include both those with repeaters and those without.

SIGN ME UPTo register as an individual or unit, please send an e-mail to:Nactorman@yahoo.com

Portray Wilson’s Raiders