(March 2010)
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Skirmish at Romulus marker. Marker was knocked down about a year ago
Marker Side-1:
Running Skirmish at Romulus
5 April 1865 Croxtons brigade left Northport by way of the (old)
Columbus Road to Coker, then camped for the night on the old Eutaw Road
toward Romulus. Confederate Gen. Wirt Adamss 1500-man cavalry brigade,
traveling from Columbus Miss to reinforce Gen. Forrest at Marion Ala,
learned of Croxtons presence in the area.
6 April Croxtons brigade traveled southward across the swollen Sipsey
River toward Laniers Mill near Pleasant Ridge. After looting and burning
the mill, they reversed direction to move back toward Northport, stopping
along the way to feed horses and eat provisions taken at Laniers Mill. As
the brigade resumed its march near noon, Adamss brigade launched a
vigorous assault on the Federals rear guard, the 6th Ky. Cav. Regt. A
running skirmish began as the 6th Ky. Cav. broke until reinforced by 4
companies of the better-armed 2nd Mich. Cav. The brisk engagement
continued through a heavy rain until complete darkness overtook the
combatants. Both sides then encamped near Romulus, some 13 miles from
Northport. Gen. Croxton reported 34 casualties and the loss of a number of
horses and ambulance wagons (one of which carried his personal papers).
Confederate losses were not reported
Marker Side-2:
7 April 1865 Adamss Confederates returned westward toward Columbus
Miss in the belief that Croxton was headed that way. Croxton continued on
to Northport.
8 April Croxton, determined to rendezvous with the main Union force
sweeping from Selma towards Ga, departed Northport. He followed a route to
the northeast dictated by flooded creeks and the Black Warrior, traveling
23 miles north on the old Byler Rd. (US 43N).
9 - 11 April While encamped in the area, Federal foraging parties
stripped the countryside of provisions and its citizens of valuables. War
of 1812-veteran John Prewett lost $26,000 in gold when one of these bands
forced his slave to reveal its whereabouts in a nearby cave.
12 April Traveling via Crabbe Rd. (old Jasper Rd.) to Windham Springs,
the brigade departed Tuscaloosa County into the area of Wolf Creek in
Walker County. Croxtons Lost Brigade eventually rejoined Gen. Wilsons
Cavalry Corps on May 1 in Macon Ga, some 3 weeks after Gen. Lees
surrender at Appomattox |
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(March 2010)
Enlarge
Skirmish at Romulus marker location |
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