"The Federal raid into central Alabama", W.0040

Abstract: Text of a speech presented by James A. Anderson on April 3, 1935, at a meeting of the Kiwanis club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, commemorating the seventieth anniversary of Union raids in Selma, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa.Scope and Content Note: This twenty-two page manuscript is the text of a speech presented by James A. Anderson on April 3, 1935, at a meeting of the Kiwanis club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, commemorating the seventieth anniversary of Union raids in Selma, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. In the speech, Anderson discusses the raids of Selma and Montgomery led by General James H. Wilson and the capture of Tuscaloosa and the destruction of The University of Alabama by Brigadier General John T. Croxton.Biographical/Historical Note: James Austin Anderson was born on April 6, 1871, in Jackson, Tennessee. In 1898, he was employed as a Geological Museum assistant at The University of Alabama. In 1905, he founded the University of Alabama Supply Store, which he managed until his retirement in 1941. In addition to serving as the store manager, Anderson was appointed University postmaster in 1908. An amateur historian, Anderson spent much of his spare time researching Alabama history. In honor of his contributions, Anderson received an honorary doctorate of literature in 1931 and was named the first university archivist in May 1941. He died on July 26, 1941.Source: James Austin Anderson papers, W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, University Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabam