He must not have been seriously wounded, since Buford did quite a bit of hard riding during Wilson's Raid. Some of his Alabama troopers mention having trouble keeping up with their leader. After fighting in the last battle east of the Mississippi (Columbus GA, Apr. 16, 1865), Buford then rode across the state to join Forrest at Gainesville.

Buford had been reassigned to command of all Alabama cavalry in the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. He was the most competent senior officer that Forrest had to lead the proposed cavalry division.

At the time two Alabama cavalry brigades were available, one under Beig. Gen. James H. Clanton and another under Brig. Gen. Philip D. Roddey. Buford had two additional Alabama regiments reporting to him at Montevallo. Unfortunately the two brigades had not reported when the campaign began.