We visited Tannehill State Park near Birmingham this past weekend and hiked trails that took us to old furnaces that produced iron for the Selma Arsenal and Gun Foundry. During the Civil War, Selma was second only to Richmond, Va., in the production of arms for the Confederacy. The ironworks at Tannehill were attacked by federal troops on March 31, 1865, and the Battle of Selma followed on April 2, 1865. The long war ended days later.
This weekend, re-enactors will once again portray the Battle of Selma with living history events for school children on Thursday and Friday at the battlefield and a Civil War Writers' Forum on Friday evening at Carneal Arts Revive. One of the authors, James R. Bennett, wrote a book about Tannehill and the growth of the Alabama iron industry.
A battle skirmish and Battle of Selma Ball follow on Saturday, and the main battle that destroyed much on Selma on Sunday afternoon.
Posted at Our World Tuesday
I didn't realize Selma paid such an important part in the Civil War. Was there much left of the furnaces to see?
ReplyDeleteEG, there was one furnace installation that the Yankees missed at Tannehill. Selma's arsenal and foundry were burned, but there are a few old foundry buildings left that may have been rebuilt after the war.
ReplyDeleteThank you for teaching. Wonderful the last picture as well. Please have a good Wednesday.
ReplyDeletedaily athens photo
This is a wonderful post! I checked out the links and am amazed at the great job they do in the re-enactment! I'd love to be there some time!
ReplyDeleteThe re-enactment here is a really big deal! I have yet to make it to the ball, though! Maybe I need a fairy godmother! LOL
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