The FReeper Foxhole Profiles General Joseph Orville Shelby - June 28th, 2004

www.civilwarhistory.com ^

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
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FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

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Joseph Orville Shelby
(1830-1897)

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Joseph Orville Shelby was born on December 12, 1830 in Lexington, Kentucky. The Shelby family was one of Kentucky's wealthiest and influential families. J. O. Shelby attended Transylvania University and was engaged in rope manufacturing until 1852 when he moved to Waverly, Missouri. In Waverly, he engaged in various enterprises including steam-boating on the Missouri and a hemp plantation. Being successful, Shelby became a member of the Missouri's social and political elite.

General Joseph Shelby

Name: SHELBY, Joseph Orville “Jo”
Born: December 12 1830, Lexington KY
Died: February 13 1897, Adrian MO

Pre-War Profession: Rope manufacturer, planter, Missouri-Kansas conflict.

War Service: 1861 Capt. of cavalry, Wilson's Creek, June 1862 Col., commanded a cavalry brigade, Prairie Grove, Helena (w), raided in Missouri 1863, December 1863 Brig. Gen., commanded a division in Price's Missouri raid, fled to Mexico to offer services to Maximilian.


General Joseph Shelby

Post War Career: Returned to US after the downfall of Maximilian, farmer, US marshal. General Jo Shelby led his "Iron Brigade" under this banner, and later used it after he ascended to Division command. In June 1865, he sunk his flag in the Rio Grande River on his way to Mexico rather than surrender the flag to the Federals. However, one of his men reputedly rescued the flag from its watery grave

One of the Confederacy's most effective cavalry leaders, Joseph 0. Shelby served entirely in the Trans-Mississippi West. A planter and rope manufacturer, he had had investments in both his native Kentucky and Missouri. During the Bleeding Kansas episode he led a company of Kentuckians on the slavery side.

Early in the Civil War he entered the Missouri State Guard and his assignments included:

• Captain, Shelby's Ranger Company, Missouri State Guard (spring 1861);
• Colonel, 5th Missouri Cavalry (1862);
  • commanding brigade, Marmaduke's Cavalry Division, 1st Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department (summer December 1862);
  • commanding brigade, Marmaduke's Cavalry Division, District of Arkansas, Trans-Mississippi Department January-July 4, 1863 and late 1863-September 1864);
• Brigadier General, CSA (December 15, 1863);
  • commanding division, Army of Missouri, Trans-Mississippi Department (September 18-September 1864);
  • commanding lst (Missouri) Cavalry Brigade, lst (Missouri) Cavalry Division, Cavalry Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department (September 1864-May 26, 1865)

As a company commander he fought at Carthage, Wilson's Creek, and Pea Ridge before being sent back to Missouri to raise a regiment. As a colonel in charge of a brigade in John S. Marmaduke's mounted division, he fought at Prairie Grove and was wounded at Helena. Upon his recovery he was promoted to brigadier general and led a brigade at Jenkins' Ferry.


The Battle of Pea Ridge

During Price's invasion of Missouri in the late summer and fall of 1864 he led a cavalry division. When the Confederacy's collapse came he refused to surrender and led part of his force to Mexico where they unsuccessfully offered their services to either side.

When General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, some Confederates refused to abandon their cause.

Having heard that Lincoln liked the idea of having former Confederate soldiers oust Emperor Maximilian from Mexico, Shelby decided that he had found a way to save their honor, spread their lost Southern empire, and gain riches and glory all at the same time.


This battle flag of C.S. Gen. Joseph O. Shelby was never surrendered, Oklahoma Historical Society.

Marching from camp at Corsicana, Texas, behind their war-scarred guidon or flag, the brigade passed through Waco, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and other towns, declaring martial law and discouraging looters. In a funereal ceremony they buried their Confederate battle flag in the murky waters of the Rio Grande before heading into Mexico.

But Shelby's men did not want to join Mexican guerrillas to fight the emperor's forces. Identifying themselves as "imperialists," the "Iron Brigade" headed for Mexico City to offer their services to Emperor Maximilian. Along the way they spilled the blood of guerrillas and bandits, and in the name of diehard chivalry, they carried out a fiery, bloody attack on a hacienda to rescue an imprisoned woman. Once in Mexico City, the "Iron Brigade" discovered its march to have been futile, and in a bittersweet final review, Shelby said good-bye. The fate of the brigade's guidon is unknown.


A sword of this type was carried by Gen. Joe Shelby, C.S.A. who never surrendered his command. Hence the sword is fondly called Gen. Joe Shelby sword.

He then returned to his business interests in Missouri. Shelby began growing wheat near Lexington, promoting railroads and operating coal mines. In 1893, Shelby was appointed U. S. Marshal by President Grover Cleveland and held that position until his death on February 13, 1897.

Thanks to FReeper Lee Heggy for suggesting this thread

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks Betsy. Neat site.

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. Whatever it is I'm not going through it! Or in it. Or whatever. Neat pic though.

[Valin]

As I keep telling people, "You can't really understand today without knowing where today came from."
I am particularlly interested in the late Roman empire/early middle ages, but just about anything to do with history will do. Back when the war in the Balkans was starting there was an article in the paper about the history of the Balkans, in it they mentioned that the Slavs moved in there in the 600s...and I was hooked. It is hard to find books on this period, one of the best(IMO) is "Barbarians and Romans" (the birth struggle of Europe A.D 400-700) by Justine Davis Randers Pehrson
pub. University of Oklahoma.
Written for lay people (Sam, it has pictures..lots of picture!)
Also
"The Last Apocalypse"
By James Reston Jr.
He does a good job of putting in the mindset of the times.

[Light Speed]

Hi Valin;

FR has so many History buffs...the level of knowledge and insight is amazing.
Researching my Family lineage ..and their connection to military history has inspired me...the return ..more than I ever imagined.
Sometimes its difficult to post...talkng about one's family..the vanity theme.

Am Fascinated with Ancient Rome....The Battle scene's at the beginning of Gladiator...wow!

SPQR...Legio II Augusta..by Chris Collingwood

Legio II Augusta may be the best of the best ...their service..some 400 yrs.

[SAMWolf]

Evening Phil Dragoo.

AMC just showed "The Undefeated"

John Wayne stars as ex-Union Colonel John Henry Thomas, a free agent now that the Civil War is over. With others who had been in his unit, he sets out to round up thousands of wild horses to sell to the government of the Mexican Emperor in order to make some money before going home. Along the way, he encounters ex-Confederate Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson). Langdon is leading a group of Confederates who have no desire to live under the Stars and Stripes and, having lost their property to carpetbaggers, have chosen instead to set out with their families for Mexico.

LOL! I knew someone would bring up that Rush was from Cape Girardeau.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the link Diva. Lots of "personal" photos. :-)

[SAMWolf]

Bunch of good photos of the Skyraider on that site.

[SAMWolf]

Maj. Samantha Carter: We don't need to splain nuthin!

[SAMWolf]

Evening Victoria. Christmas Clown?

[SAMWolf]

Wilmer McLean, a Virginia farmer, saw his home converted for use as headquarters for General P.G.T. Beauregard, C.S.A. at the First Battle of Manassas. His home was shelled and Wilmer decided enough was enough. After the battle, Wilmer decided to move further south to escape the war. Ironically, it was at his new place in Appomattox Court House, Virginia and in his front parlor where it all ended nearly four years later.

[SAMWolf]

Cool, you're designated Roman Empire/Middle Ages expert. :-)

That'll teach ya.

[snippy_about_it]

Evening Victoria.

[Light Speed]

Wow..what are the odds of that happening.

Wilmer decided to move further south to escape the war.

Today...[Fill in the blank]...we decided to move to escape Government

Ya I know....resistence is futile : )

[snippy_about_it]

Wow. Talk about fate. Geez, this guy coudn't get a break.

[SAMWolf]

The odds of that happening had to be astronomical.

There is no where to escape, you will be taxed and regulated!

[snippy_about_it]

...resistence is futile.

I wish there were somewhere to go. :-(

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!