Battle of Marshall

Shelby’s Raid: A Confederate Cavalry Incursion into Arkansas and Missouri

Imagine a time when the American Civil War was raging across the nation, with battles fought not just on the battlefield but also in the hearts and minds of those caught in its grip. In 1863, Colonel Joseph Orville Shelby led his Confederate cavalry on an audacious incursion into Arkansas and Missouri, known as Shelby’s Raid. Was this raid a mere skirmish or a pivotal moment that swayed the war’s course?

The Prelude to Shelby’s Raid

In December 1862, the Confederates suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Prairie Grove, leading to a retreat and allowing Union forces to seize control of northwestern Arkansas. Just months later, in January 1863, Fort Hindman fell to Union forces, weakening Confederate positions even further. Could these defeats have been the spark that ignited Shelby’s Raid?

The Political Climate

In September 1863, the state capital of Little Rock was captured by Union forces during the Little Rock campaign, leading to the effective control of the Arkansas River Valley. The Confederates faced a decisive defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, which compelled General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia to retreat. With the war going poorly for the Confederacy, was Shelby’s Raid an attempt to boost morale and turn the tide?

The Execution of Shelby’s Raid

Colonel Shelby launched a political campaign to generate approval for his raid, presenting his objectives to Missouri Governor Thomas Reynolds, who pledged support and promised a promotion if successful. The desired outcomes included recruiting more Missourians, diverting federal troops to Missouri, and hindering the Union campaign in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Was this a well-planned strategy or a desperate gamble?

The Initial Movements

Initially hesitant, Marmaduke reluctantly granted authority to Major General Theophilus Hunter Holmes for the proposed raid. Following a tumultuous argument, Holmes eventually conceded and agreed to the plan. General Sterling Price forwarded the proposal to General Edmund Kirby Smith for ultimate approval. Shelby received orders to launch the raid despite uncertainty surrounding the chain of command. With so many layers of authority, was Shelby’s Raid doomed from the start?

The March Through Federal Territory

Shelby’s combined force of 600-700 men navigated through Federal territory in Missouri, crossing the Arkansas River without detection on September 27. They committed sabotage and sent scouts to spot Federal troops. Colonel DeWitt Clinton Hunter joined forces with Shelby’s formation at McKissick Spring, bolstering their ranks with 200 newly recruited cavalrymen. The unified troops proceeded to Pineville, Missouri, where they encountered Colonel John Trousdale Coffee and his contingent of 400 men. Could this initial success have been the spark that ignited the raid’s momentum?

The Battles and Skirmishes

Shelby launched an attack on a Federal garrison in Neosho, capturing 180 men. Shelby reported two killed and two wounded casualties, while McAfee reported five killed and nine wounded casualties. The raiders plundered and set ablaze the town of Bowers Mill. On October 5, Shelby’s forces reached Greenfield. Shebly’s advanced guard fought Capt. E. J. Morris’ men at Greenfield, resulting in Shelby taking the town with four prisoners, rifles, horses, provisions, and burning the courthouse. With each battle, was Shelby inching closer to his goals?

The Battle of Marshall

On October 13, the Battle of Marshall unfolded with Shelby positioned between two formidable forces. Brown ordered Major Houts to engage Shanks while he attacked Shelby’s left flank and Major Foster crossed the river north of Shelby to attack his right flank. Shelby dispatched scouts, then launched an assault on Lazear’s force as Brown attacked his left flank. Hooper led the left, Hunter and Coffee the right, and artillery formed the center with dismounted cavalry. The retreat began as Shelby recognized his forces were being encircled by nearly double their own number after four hours of combat. He consolidated his forces and broke through a vulnerable point on the Federal’s left flank, but was disrupted by a mounted charge led by Major Young, forcing him to scatter with his men. Was Shelby’s tactical prowess enough to turn the tide?

The Aftermath

Shelby broke through Lazear’s lines at Marshall and regrouped with Hunter’s detachment. They marched towards Waverly, but were pursued by Federal forces led by Colonel Brutsche. After a series of engagements and chases, Shelby successfully evaded capture and crossed the Grand River. General Ewing took over the pursuit on October 15, chasing Shelby to Carthage. In Carthage, Major Pickler’s men were captured due to a lapse in alertness. Meanwhile, Hunter’s detachment had traveled northeast, gathering supplies and battling a garrison at Florence. They eventually went into hiding near Greenfield, Rock Prairie on October 16. Hunter’s troops moved south with minimal opposition, joined Shelby’s forces near Berryville on October 20, and then traveled to the Boston Mountains on October 24. They crossed the Arkansas River at Clarksville on October 26 and repelled a charge led by General McNeil’s forces. With each step, was Shelby inching closer to his ultimate goal?

The Conclusion

Shelby received word about Federal troops in Huntsville and instead traveled towards Washington, Arkansas, on November 3, where they encountered severe snow and ice. The subsequent day, Shelby reported to General Price that he sought to leave the remaining portion of his force in Arkansas for reorganization. As a result of the raid, Shelby was promoted to Brigadier General in the Confederate Army on December 15, 1863. He claimed to have suffered 150 casualties, inflicted 600 casualties on Federal troops, captured 500 prisoners, destroyed ten forts, and caused over $2 million worth of damage during the raid. Was Shelby’s Raid a success or a failure?

Shelby’s Raid was a complex and multifaceted operation that had significant consequences for Missourians, including property damage, food theft, and loss of lives. While it may not have been the decisive blow to Union forces, Shelby’s Raid certainly left an indelible mark on the history of the American Civil War.