Lt. Colonel Joseph Selden

Lt. Colonel Joseph Selden

Joseph Selden was 38 when he was commissioned Lt. Colonel of the 26th Regiment. During the May 27th assault on Port Hudson the colonel of the regiment, Thomas Kingsley, was severely wounded. From this point until the end of the term of service, Lt. Col. Selden assumed command of the regiment. In his official report of the assault of May 27, Lt. Col. Selden described the events of that day:

"The attempt was made to take the rebel batteries and intrenchments by storm.  Our regiment was formed in line of battle with the Sixth Michigan and One hundred and twenty-eighth New York regiments in front of us and the Fifteenth New Hampshire in our rear. 

The brigade was ordered forward on the double-quick.  Four fences intervened between us and the intrenchments, which greatly impeded our advance.  In passing these fences the different regiments were thrown into confusion and became somewhat mixed up.  On entering the field, a perfect shower of grape, shot, and canister met us, severely wounding Generals Sherman and Dow, and cutting down men and officers by the scores.  Still, we advanced, and for more than two hours held the ground, and when we obliged to fall back, it was not in disorder. 

I rallied our men and formed the regiment near the entrance of the field, and we held the ground occupied by our brigade during the day.  This being the first time the regiment had been under fire, I must be permitted to say that they conducted themselves with great gallantry and bravery. . . ."