Selma in Dallas County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Selma Army Arsenal

1862~1865

— Wilson's Raid - Battle of Selma —

Selma Army Arsenal Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 28, 2023

1. Selma Army Arsenal Marker

Inscription. Confederate Army Captain James White was ordered to relocate the old Federal Arsenal from Mt. Vernon, Alabama. By 1865 it consisted of 24 buildings and had over 500 workers including men, women, boys, girls, FMofC and slaves. It made or contracted for all manner of war materials including 30,000 rifle cartridges a day. These materials were then shipped from the C.S. Depot to all parts of the shrinking Confederacy. By 1865 Selma was producing 2/3 of all C.S. war materials and made the destruction of Selma the goal of "Wilson's Raid."

"April 6th. ...the rattle of exploding rifle and musket cartridges was deafening; we have not heard such a constant roar since the Battle of Chickamauga. The negroes had been cautioned to get all the artillery shells out, but in half an hour they began to explode, throwing fire and old iron 1,000 feet high. This made every fellow hunt his hole and crawl into it, too. The scene was hideous and unearthly beyond anything we had ever imagined. The explosions continued for three hours, much louder than any we had ever heard, and of sufficient violence to shake the earth for miles around, making the whole city a perfect pandemonium. What must have been the humiliation of Gens. Forrest and Taylor as they heard these tell-tale explosions and saw the fiery serpent of flame writhing in the sky over Selma,

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the mighty, strong and rich city!" ...Sgt. B.F. McGee, 72nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry of the Mounted Lightening Brigade

Erected 2015 by the April 1865 Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 32° 24.359′ N, 87° 1.289′ W. Marker is in Selma, Alabama, in Dallas County. It is at the intersection of Church Street and Arsenal Place, on the right when traveling south on Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7 Church Street, Selma AL 36701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Arsenal Place (a few steps from this marker); Ecor Bienville (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Federal Building and U.S. Court House (about 400 feet away); Lieutenant John Tillman Melvin (about 500 feet away); Edmund Winston Pettus House Site (about 500 feet away); Burning of Downtown (about 600 feet away); The Sleeping Prophet (about 700 feet away); 'Bloody Sunday' Attack at Edmund Pettus Bridge / U.S. Congress Approves Voting Rights Act of 1965 (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Selma.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Selma Movement (was about 800 feet away

Selma Army Arsenal Marker (Rear) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 26, 2015

2. Selma Army Arsenal Marker (Rear)

Map of the City of Selma and its Defenses. Captured by assault by the Cavalry Corps., M.D.M., April 2d, 1865. Bvt Maj. Gen. J.H. Wilson, Com'd'g. Surveyed and drawn by Capt. H.E. Noyes, 2d U.S. Cavalry, A.D.C.

but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Selma Army Arsenal. One of a newer interactive marker that includes QR codes that allow you to use your smartphone to see additional photos and stories.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Selma Army Arsenal. (Submitted on April 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Weathering of foil period map on reverse now gone. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 28, 2023

3. Weathering of foil period map on reverse now gone.

Entrance gate to the former Arsenal image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 26, 2015

4. Entrance gate to the former Arsenal

Looking north on Church Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 26, 2015

5. Looking north on Church Street.

The view from Arsenal Place towards marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 26, 2015

6. The view from Arsenal Place towards marker.

150th Anniversary of the Battle of Selma in 2015. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 26, 2015

7. 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Selma in 2015.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,417 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 28, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on April 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on May 28, 2023, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.