Shelby's Raid (1863)

Joseph O. Shelby

Shelby's Raid was a 1863 Confederate cavalry raid from Arkansas into Missouri during the American Civil War. It had not been a good year for the Confederates in Arkansas with several setbacks. These included the lost of Little Rock the state capital, Fort Hindman[1], and the failure to retake Helena[2]. Colonel Joseph Shelby thought that a fast moving raid could boost morale acquire recruits, and keep federal troops busy so they couldn't assist in Northern operations elsewhere. His troops fought numerous skirmishes and caused a deal of disruption in Missouri, making it as far north as Waverly, Missouri before withdrawing back to Arkansas. This raid cemented Shelby's reputation as a cavalry commander and made plain that Missouri was still vulnerable to this kind of cavalry raid.


The raid

With the loss of Little Rock General Sterling Price moved his forces to near Arkadelphia, Arkansas.[3][4] Shelby's raiders rode from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, on September 22, 1863, crossing into Missouri near Pineville on October 2.[5] Involving 800 soldiers, twelve ammunition wagons, and two pieces of Artillery, the raid was a success. Shelby reported that during the thirty days he killed and wounded six hundred Federals, he had captured and paroled another 600. He had captured and destroyed ten union forts, seizing $800,000 dollars in military supplies, which included 600 rifles, forty stands of colors, 399 hundred wagons, 6,000 horses and mules. He had also destroyed another million dollars in enemy supplies. His own losses would be major, as about one man in six did not return from the raid.

The "Battle of Marshall" and withdrawal

On October 13, 1863, Federal forces were able concentrate to engage Shelby's raiders at the town of Marshall, the county seat of Saline County. A mixed force of 1,800 Federal troops and Missouri State Militia under Brigadier General Egbert B. Brown attempted to surround and trap Shelby's force. However, Shelby divided his force and broke through, escaping the Union encirclement. Confronted with the likelihood of continued Federal concentration, Shelby divided his command and withdrew from Missouri to Arkansas.[6]

Results

Jo Shelby was promoted to brigadier general in the Confederate Army as a result of this successful raid. Shelby claimed to have traveled 1,500 miles, inflicted 600 casualties, and captured or destroyed $1 million worth of goods during the raid.

References

  1. ↑ "Battle of Arkansas Post - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  2. ↑ "Battle of Helena - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  3. ↑ Albert Castel (May 1993). General Sterling Price and the Civil War in the West. LSU Press. pp. 158–. ISBN 978-0-8071-5153-2.
  4. ↑ "Little Rock Campaign - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  5. ↑ "Civil War Virtual Museum | Marmaduke's Raid & Shelby's Raid | Gallery". www.civilwarvirtualmuseum.org. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  6. ↑ McLachlan, Sean "Ride Around Missouri" pp 52-67

Sources

  • Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume 22 (Part I), page 621-
  • McLachlan, Sean. (2011) Ride Around Missouri; Shelby's Great Raid 1863. Osprey Raid Series #25. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-429-1
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