Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Major General James Harrison Wilson, USV
Wilson's Raiders
(Side A)
Major General James Harrison Wilson, USV
1837-1925
Exceptional American soldier, born Illinois, West Point Class of 1860, MG at 27. Civil War service: Port Royal 1861-62, Aide to McClellan '62; Vicksburg and Chattanooga Campaigns, Grant's staff '63-64, Chief of Cavalry Bureau '64; Wilderness and Valley Campaigns, Commander Cavalry Division, Sherman's Corps'64; Franklin, Nashville, AL & GA '64-65. Retired from Army 1870; pursued railroading career in U.S., Latin America, Japan & China. MG USV, 1898; War With Spain, Division Commander in Puerto Rico; Boxer Rebellion, Commander U.S. & British troops in China. U.S. representative at coronation of King Edward VII
(Side B)
Wilson's Raiders
April 1865
MG J.H. Wilson's Cavalry Corps raised U.S. flag over Alabama's and the Confederacy's first capital on 4/12/65, 3 days after Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Wilson had defeated LTG N.B. Forrest's depleted and outnumbered troops at the Confederate arsenal city of Selma. Before fleeing Montgomery, BG D.W. Adams, CSA ordered 85,000 bales of cotton and 40,000 bushels of corn set afire to deny them to the Federals. But for the wind's change and heroic volunteer firefighters, the city would have burned. Wilson left Montgomery for Columbus, GA on Friday, 4/14/65, the day Lincoln was shot by Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington.
Erected 1992 by Alabama Historical Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1865.
Location. 32° 22.891′ N, 86° 20.72′ W. Marker is in Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Ash Street west of Poplar Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Montgomery AL 36112, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Air University / Maxwell Air Force Base (a few steps from this marker); North American B-25 Mitchell (a few steps from this marker); William R. Lawley, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Montgomery Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War (within shouting distance of this marker); Former POWs And Those MIA (within shouting distance of this marker); British and Commonwealth Pilots Trained in the U.S.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Sikorsky MH-53M 'Pave Low IV' Helicopter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boeing B-52D "Stratofortress" (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maxwell Air Force Base.
Also see . . .
1. James Harrison Wilson. Mr. Lincoln & Friends website entry (Submitted on April 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Maj Gen James H. Wilson. Library of Congress entry (Submitted on April 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. James Harrison Wilson. Find A Grave entry (Submitted on April 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Wilson's Raid. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on April 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,125 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on October 7, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on April 14, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.