The Alabama in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Militias in Battle of Selma, AL, April 2, 1865

Militia present at Selma would have been members of 1st and 2nd Class Militia as reorganized under Alabama state law of August 1863. All prior militia organizations were abolished. ADAH might have rosters of Dallas County companies organized during 1864. Possibly 1st and 2nd Class militia from adjacent counties were present.

Some names of militiamen captured at Selma appear in the Alabama miscellaneous file, National Archives collection of Alabama Confederate soldiers, M311. I suspect that Alabama Senior Reserves, who should be considered among Confederate soldiers, are sometimes counted as militia during this campaign. The two main bodies of Alabama reserves who fought at Selma belonged to Barbiere's and Hardie's Alabama Cavalry Battalions.

In his letter of April 9, 1865, Capt. Charles T. Hardman, Co. "B", 6th Alabama Cavalry, mentions militia in camp near Benton in Lowndes County. He remarks that these men wish to see fighting done, but are unwilling to do it themselves.

Messages In This Thread

Militias in Battle of Selma, AL, April 2, 1865
Re: Militias in Battle of Selma, AL, April 2, 1865