Though conditions leading up to the battle were not ideal, the end result was another success.

Numerous re-enactors from north Alabama and other areas of the state impacted by last week’s tornadoes were forced to abandon their plans of heading to Selma. However, April 1865 Society president James Hammonds said they were more than happy with the turnout.

“The crowds weren’t the biggest we have ever had and Sunday was smaller than last year, but there were a few factors that caused that,” he said. “Last year Saturday was rained out, which made the Sunday crowd bigger and of course this year we had the tornadoes earlier in the week.”

The numbers, he said, were still strong. Early estimates had 1,200 to 1,500 people on site for the weekend.

“We had a significant increase in the number of re-enactors,” Hammonds said. “They were up by about 30 percent. We had about the same number of horses and we had registered 80 percent more guns.”

Many of the guns and artillery units, Hammonds said, were unable to make it because of the storms.

“We have about 10 to 15 percent of our guys who are involved in public service in one way or another,” he said. “They might not have been affected, and they might have originally been off, but when something like this happens they get called in.”

Since the April 1865 Society took over operation, the goal has been to establish a more organized event.

These efforts did not go unnoticed by participants.

Charles Coe, who has been participating in the Selma battle for 20 years, said it is one of his favorites.

“There are so many great aspects here,” he said. “The April 1865 Society does a great job of preparation and this area is actually a part of town that was part of the defenses. You can’t beat that.”

The changes, Hammonds said, are specifically for the re-enactors.

“We do a better job of that every time it seems,” he said. “I think people appreciate when you see what  needs to be done and you do it.”