Letter written by Joseph Califano, Jr., Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, outlining the progression of the march at 1600 Hours (4:00PM), 22 March 1965.

The memo reads as follows: Report No. 5 as of 2000, March 22, 1965

The marchers, at a strength of about 300, closed into their bivouac site at 1740 hours, Selma time. This site is next to a store near the edge of Big Swamp Creek, known as "Rosie Steel's Grocery Store and Filling Station."

The site is being guarded by the 720 MP Battalion with closer-in security being furnished by a National Guard MP company. There have been no incidents. There are 20-25 cars in the area believed to contain spectators which are being kept under surveillance. The spirit of the marchers seems good and they may possibly have a small rally tonight in their camp at 2100 hours Selma time.

This will be the last written report until 1000 hours tomorrow since the marchers will probably not start until 0800 hours in the morning. The Tuesday night bivouac site is near the junction of Route 80 and the road which runs northeast of Hayneville to a junction with Route 80. Since the highway is four-lane at that point, more marchers may join them tomorrow night.

Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
The Special Assistant

Original Report Edited from, LBJ for kids, From Selma to Montgomery, The Joseph Califano Reports, www.lbj.utexas.edu