Thrilling but Pointless: General "JO" Shelby's 1863 Cavalry Raid

Numerous confederate cavalry raids into Missouri occurred during the Civil War. These raids were the result of multiple campaigns by conventional rebel forces to attempt to seize and hold Missouri for the Confederate government. Beginning in December 1862, Confederate cavalry forces operating from central and southern Arkansas, launched numerous raids into Missouri varying in size and geographic objective. Joseph Orville “Jo” Shelby was one of the more imaginative and flamboyant Confederate cavalry commanders to operate west of the Mississippi River. He rose from Captain of his homegrown “Shelby’s Rangers” to Brigadier General and command of a cavalry division by war’s end. This is the story of Shelby's most memorable raid into central Missouri to recruit, prevent Missouri troops from reinforcing the eastern theater, and provide a victory for the rebels in Arkansas.