Joseph Orville Shelby, also known as “Jo” Shelby a Confederate Cavalry Commander, was born in Lexington, Kentucky on December 12, 1830. He moved to Waverly, Missouri, in
1852, becoming a rope manufacturer, hemp planter involved in steam boating on the
Missouri River. Shelby was one of the state’s largest slave owners.
b. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Shelby organized a company of cavalry and offered his services to the deposed governor, Claiborne Fox Jackson, leading his horsemen in every major battle west of the Mississippi over the next two years. In 1861, Shelby volunteered to form the Lafayette County Mounted Rifles for the Missouri State Guard and serve as the
Company Captain, leading them into multiple battles battle at Carthage, Wilson Creek and
Pea Ridge in …show more content…
Shelby was wounded in action at Helena in July 1863, and upon his recovery he conducted a “Great Raid” on Missouri, capturing hundreds of federal soldiers, horses and mules, as well as weapon and ammunition caches. This action lead to his promotion to Brigadier General (BG) that same year.
c. In 1864 Major General (MG) Sterling Price was tasked to take over St Louis, because it held important supplies for the Federates forces. MG Price had BG Shelby as one of his three commanding Generals for this task. On his way north through Arkansas, Shelby was ordered to round up as many deserters as possible from behind the Union Lines. Shelby rejoined Price's army near the Missouri border at Pocahontas, AK with more than 3,000 deserters that had been held at gunpoint to serve in the great campaign, making up nearly a third of Price's force. BG Shelby’s sole objective was to take over St. Louis, Mo while stopping and taking Federates soldiers and resupply in Doniphan, Patterson and
Fredericktown along the way. Upon arrival at Fredericktown, he regroups with MG
Mamarduke and MG Fagan for resupply and planning. At Fredericktown MG Price, seeing