Union Advance

The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Selma was re-enacted Sunday
 with hundreds of reenactors and a hillside full of spectators. 

In this photo, homes north of Selma are burned by Union Gen. J.H. Wilson's
 Cavalry as they advance on Confederate forces behind the fortifications.
 In the actual battle on April 2, 1865, Wilson's Raiders 

went on to destroy Selma's arms manufacturing facilities
 and burn much of the town. 

Battle of Selma 150th

One hundred fifty years ago, much of Selma was in ruins...

the price it paid for its part as a major weapons, munitions and warship producer

 for the Confederacy during The War Between the States.

This weekend, the Battle of Selma is commemorated by hundreds of Union 

and Confederate reenactors from around the country. But the battle is much

 more than a battle with black powder and cannons and horses and swords.

 While that is certainly the highlight, those who attend will experience

 a living-history education in the lifestyle of the 1860s via battle tactics,

 weapons, medicine, communications, apparel, cooking, music and more. 

Why remember this relatively short battle during the last days of the Civil War?

It educates our children and ourselves in a way that no history book can.

 It brings authenticity to  America's bloodiest conflict, a four-year war 

that took hundreds of thousands of lives, injured millions more

 and set the course of our nation.

Selma's battle comes near the end of the 150th anniversary reenactments.

 For more information on Civil War 150 events, click HERE.      

(Photo is from a previous Battle of Selma event.)

Firing the Cannon for the 150th

April 2 was the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Selma, and members 

of the Jeff Davis Artillery fired a cannon across the Alabama River

 at the 3 p.m. battle time as part of the official commemoration.

The small, six-pound experimental Brooke cannon was made in Selma in 1864 

and used to designed the steel versions. After the War Between the States

 was over, the cannon was shipped to a warehouse in Virginia but returned 

to the city in the 1930s.  It was placed with another one

 at the Selma Waterworks until one was stolen. 

Then, this one was moved to safekeeping.

Thanks to guest photographer Christine Weerts for the photo!

Linking to City Daily Photo Blogs