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]

Hi Spooky, I hope you got back to sleep and everything is okay.

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks Sam. We don't hear much about the actions in Kansas and Missouri. Good read.

[Tax-chick]

1577 Birth of Peter Paul Rubens, Flemish painter.

Flemish painter of fat ladies.

[Valin]

I joined the Navy to see the world, and what did I see?
I saw the sea.
Oh, the Atlantic isn't romantic
and the Pacific isn't terrific,
and the Caribbean ain't what it's cracked up to be

[SAMWolf]

Morning Spooky. Did they catch the prowler? Not a good way to start the day.

[snippy_about_it]

Hiya Light Speed. You've changed your FR page...now you've got some 'splainin to do. What is it or do I just need more coffee?

Between our resident Vexillologist PE, feather you and Phil we get some of the neatest pictures posted at the Foxhole and we love them all!

[snippy_about_it]

Mornin' alfa6.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning EGC.

[SAMWolf]

Morning PE Light Speed. I am so confused. ;-)

[SAMWolf]

Morning E.G.C. Looks like another beautiful day starting.

[SAMWolf]

Morning alfa6.

It'd be interesting to know if Monday is the day on which most people end up being late for work.

[Valin]

If I may recomend
April 1865: The Month That Saved America
by Jay Winik
Not Enough Superlatives

The English language lacks enough superlatives to describe this book. Jay Winik brings the denouement of the Civil War to life with the crisp, eloquent prose of a novelist and the exacting standards and rich detail of an historian.
The fateful decisions rendered in April 1865 -- perhaps the most momentous month in our Republics history -- would help to transform a loosely connected confederation of independent states into a full-fledged, united nation. (In its early years, the United States was commonly used as a plural noun, Winik observes, becoming a singular noun only after the Civil War.)

It did not have to turn out this way. In fact, secessionist proclivities had been deeply embedded in the American experience, Winik points out, citing examples such as the Whiskey Rebellion, the threatened severance of New England during the War of 1812 and the South over the nullification law machinations. That the Civil War would forever lay to rest secessionist impulses -- and as important, not degenerate into a protracted campaign of low-level bloodletting and on-going recrimination (as many other civil wars have) -- is, Winik says, largely due to the words and deeds of men like Lee, Lincoln, Johnston, Grant and Sherman during the pivotal days of April 1865. It was Lincoln, Grant and Sherman who, time and again, chose reconciliation over retribution, while Lee and Johnston charted a path of honorable surrender (rather than prolonged guerrilla conflict) and wholehearted Union re-embrace.

Winiks new work is a masterful achievement -- certainly among the best books lining my bookshelf. Another classic is Winiks 1996 account of the U.S. triumph in the Cold War: "On The Brink." Fans of "April 1865" may want to check it out.

http://www.history-us.com/April_1865_The_Month_That_Saved_America_0060930888.html

[SAMWolf]

Morning Tax-chick.

I never knew that the JO stood for Joseph Orville either until I looked into doing this thread.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Mayor. I need that kick start I get from coffee today. I'm dragging this morning.

[snippy_about_it]

I love the whiskers on the Civil War gents!

Lee and Forrest carried those whiskers the best. ;-)

[snippy_about_it]

Mornin' Aeronaut.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Aeronaut.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Mayor. It's a cool 56 degrees this morning, sunshine and headed for 81 degrees.

[Valin]

I prefer the term full figured or calorically enhanced.

If I may quote my buddy Buck(in speaking of his wife), "She keeps me warm in the winter and shady in the summertime, and that works for me.".

[The Mayor]

Good news all over Iraq this AM!

I have a bunch of stuff posted at Military Monday!