Captured at Vicksburg, Mississippi
United States Congressman from Alabama
(1833-1907) He was born in Sullivan County, Tennessee, was taken by his parents to Talladega, Alabama in 1836, and followed in his father’s footsteps by getting into architecture and building. In 1861, he served as a lieutenant of the Talladega Artillery, spending six weeks at Fort Morgan, Ala. His company was then reorganized into infantry, and Shelley was elected captain of the 5th Alabama Infantry. He served in the 1861, 1st Manassas, Va. campaign, and in 1862, he recruited the 30th Alabama Infantry, and was commissioned its colonel. He fought in General Braxton Bragg’s Kentucky invasion, at Port Gibson, and was captured at Vicksburg. After his exchange, his command was assigned to the Army of Tennessee, and he participated in every battle they fought in from Chattanooga until its final surrender at Greensboro, N.C. He was promoted to brigadier general on September 17, 1864. In the famous assault on the Union works at Franklin, Tenn., Shelley, now commanding a brigade, lost 432 men killed and wounded. General Shelley himself escaped without injury, but had his horse killed from underneath him, and several bullets pierced his uniform. He served as a U.S. Congressman from Alabama, 1877-85.
Photograph: 2 1/2 x 4, silver print image, in civilian attire. Printed on thick photographic paper, but is not on a mount. Fine condition. Circa late 1800's. There are no photos of General Shelley in uniform known to exist. Scarce. |