Last Stronghold Falls

Hardie's Reserve Cavalry Battalion, about 500 strong, was ordered from Talladega to Selma and placed along the railroad track to the right and left of the depot behind a makeshift defensive line of railroad bed, the depot, cotton bales, and other buildings. After Interior Redoubt III fell to the west and General Upton's forces crossed the railroad track to the east, Major Joseph Hardie's battalion was flanked on both sides. About 7 pm, Major Greeno and troopers of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry captured the depot. Hardie reported to Gen'l Bedford Forrest in person and was ordered to leave his horses in Weaver's Grove and place his men as a second line of defense at what is now known as the So. Railway depot on Broad Street. The front line was soon broken, the enemy came pouring over, Captain John Donahoo was killed there, and when the lines were broken on the right and the enemy came in through the Range Line Road, Hardie tried to take his command out of the city. Finding it impossible, he told each man to look out for himself, then went to the Gee Hotel and surrendered before being sent to Watts Hall, now Sturdivant Hall, where many prisoners were gathered.

Selma, Alabama · United States