Chalmers Attacks - Valley Grande, AL
Posted by: 
hoteltwo
N 32° 27.129 W 087° 02.058
16S E 496776 N 3590555
Located near Keenan's Mill on Lapsley Street the marker describes Union Gen. Wilson's advance into Alabama to destroy the arms depots in Selma near the end of the Civil War.
Waymark Code: WM184Z3
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 05/31/2023
Views: 0
Marker text:
Chalmers Attacks
Long's Division in the Rear
Wilson's Raid - Battle of Selma
By 1865 General Nathan Bedford Forrest had been promoted Cavalry Chief for the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana under General Richard Taylor. On learning of Wilson's advance into Alabama, Forrest had to determine Wilson's objective and consolidate his far flung command to block the invader. On April 2nd Forrest was still missing all the Brigades of General William H. Jackson and 2 Brigades of General James R. Chalmers. About 4 pm elements of General Chalmers two missing brigades attacked General Long's rear near Keenan's Mill.
"The signal for the advance was to be the discharge of a single gun from Rodney's Battery, to be given as soon as Gen. Upton's turning movement had developed itself. Before that plan could be executed, and while waiting for the signal to advance, Gen. Long was informed that a strong force of Confederate cavalry had been skirmishing with his rear, and threatened a general atck upon his pack train and led horses. He had left a force of six companies..." [the 72nd Indiana Infantry re-enforced by 1 Battalion of the 3rd Ohio Cavalry] "...well posted at Valley Creek (northwest of the city), in anticipation of that movement. Fearing this affair would compromise the assault upon the main portion, Long determined to make the assault at once; and without waiting for the signal gave the order to advance."
-Major General Christopher Columbus Andrews
Marker Name: Chalmers Attacks
Marker Type: Rural Roadside
Addtional Information::
Erected by the April 1865 Society.
The foil & adhesive of the period map, on the rear of the marker, has weathered causing the map to curl up and become unreadable.
Date Dedicated / Placed: 2015
Marker Number: Not listed
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