In a bloody assault, Union troops take the fortified armaments manufacturing town of Selma, Alabama

Union General James Wilson was in the second week of a massive three division cavalry raid into Alabama when he reached the heavily fortified town of Selma, prized for its munitions works. His 13,500 men met a hastily gathered Confederate force of around 4000 largely poorly trained defenders, including civilian volunteers, under General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Fierce fighting saw Wilson's men take the town with very heavy casualties on both sides.  (By John Osborne)