All,
The term "Selma Arsenal" has been repeated to such an extent that the true story has been obscured by the many misconceptions that have resulted from the assumption that EVERYTHING that happened in Selma was connected to the Army Arsenal. Not so. Selma was in actuality a wide network of business, industry and military activity engaged in almost every aspect and element of wartime production. Food, forage, cotton, etc. were clearly the focus of the local agricultural interests. Local industry manufactured almost everything that was needed by the troops in the field. Shovels, picks, pots, pans, horseshoes, nails, etc. and many other essentials were made, warehoused and shipped from the central location throughout the war. It was one of the two gateways that served the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, Eastern Louisiana and Western Tennessee. This is a region I have called the “Trans- Chattahoochee” since that neatly sums it up geographically. The other gateway was down the railroad to the Tensaw landing (Mobile Bay) and across the bay by boat to Mobile and the Mobile & Ohio RR. This entire story is told in my book (out of print) on Selma. The title speaks for itself. ..
THE UNTOLD STORY OF CIVIL WAR SELMA, ALABAMA AS A CENTER OF MANUFACTURING, TRANSPORTATION, SHIPBUILDING AND LOGISTICS DURING THE WAR OF NORTHERN AGGRESSION – 1861-1865.
Military goods of all description were also procured from the many local businesses there. As one of the only sources within the South able to produce highest quality iron following a calamitous spring of 1862 Selma became even more critical to the war effort. As early as May 1862 the Army moved the federal Mt. Vernon Arsenal to Selma and began production of cartridges and all manner of pyrotechnics. Old flintlocks were converted to percussion ignition and guns of every kind captured, gleaned or otherwise obtained were repaired and returned to useful service. Selma had and has a very well qualified community of gunsmiths dating to the early 1850’s. Their services proved useful to the cause. Much of the artillery ammunition that flowed through Selma originated from contractors operating furnaces elsewhere – mostly north of the city in the Cahaba River basin. The C. B. Churchill Company in Columbiana, AL was one such firm. The available invoices and records reflect everything from 6 lbr balls to 12 lbr Whitworth bolts to 10” shells – to name a few.
The CS Navy had established a shipyard there in 1862 based on the recommendations of Ebenezer Farrand. By the time the shipyard had built the 4 ironclads eventually produced in Selma slips Farrand was long gone to Mobile where he succeeded Franklin Buchanan as flotilla commander following the Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864. Selma also produced a very cleverly designed submarine with both steam and hand crank propulsion. This was accomplished by a civilian named Halligan. The Saint Patrick saw service in Mobile Bay in 1865.
The story of the Navy Gun Foundry and Ordnance Works is set forth in a 10 page article in the current issue of “The Artilleryman Magazine”. As a military facility beginning in February 1863, under the supervision of Catesby ap R. Jones (yes, Hampton Roads & the ironclads Jones) in June 1863, Selma produced and shipped 79 large siege, seacoast and naval guns during the 21 months the gun foundry operated – about 1 per week. These guns were acclaimed as being the best of their class made anywhere in the world.
The railroads in Selma along with the extensive river traffic served as vital arteries of support both in moving troops and materials throughout the war. The Military Depot there allowed for needed supplies to be sent south or west to the points of need within a few days. The story goes on and on, but by now you get the picture.
I have just gone back and read the latest postings by Mike and Steve and I would advise Mike (and everyone else) to pay close attention to what Steve is telling you. No, the arsenal in Selma didn’t operate a foundry for casting field caliber (or larger for that matter) projectiles. There were, however, numerous PRIVATE business concerns doing so and submitting their products to the Army for approval and payment. On the subject of Col. White. He was a difficult and very one sided person to deal with. Jones, Brooke and everyone else who dealt with him found him difficult to the point of being obstructive to the war effort. He was eventually (November 1864?) removed from command for such reasons – by his army superiors. I also believe that if you dig deep enough into the history of Mr. George Peacock (CNGFOW furnace master) you will find that he held a number of patents for casting shells. A detailed study would be appropriate. To my knowledge the CNGFOW never cast any projectiles smaller than VI.4” or 32lbr.
Lastly, of all the correspondence of that war that I have seen there are so very many that are flawed as to content, conclusions, fulfillment of intentions, etc. It would behoove all of us to recognize that a conclusion by one man doesn’t guarantee accuracy. I point to Maj. George Rains’ opinion that Selma was not a good location for a naval gun foundry hence his rapid departure following his assignment as the initial commandant.
I have both seen and handled hundreds upon hundreds of Selma made and/or recovered artifacts. Enough so to understand that those who have not taken the time to acquaint themselves with the FACTUAL history of that place will likely fail to ever understand what really happened there.
Bottom line, not everything meaningful in that war happened east of the Chattahoochee River. That war was fought in the east and lost in the Trans-Chattahoochee.
