Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 7.djvu/472

Rh the secession of Alabama, but before hostilities had actually commenced, he went to Fort Morgan with the Talladega artillery, of which he was a lieutenant. This was in February, 1861. After remaining at Fort Morgan six weeks, the company returned to camp at Talladega, where it was reorganized, with Shelley as captain, and assigned to the Fifth Alabama regiment, which, under the command of Col. R. E. Rodes, was sent to Virginia. Though not actively engaged in the first battle of Manassas, Captain Shelley's company was on picket duty at Parr's cross-roads, July 17th, where it was assailed by a strong force of the enemy. After a spirited combat of several hours the company was withdrawn, with the loss of two wounded. The enemy's loss was much greater, While in Virginia he was present at First Manassas, was engaged in a night skirmish in the Peninsula, and a cavalry skirmish near Accotink. In January, 1862, he was authorized to recruit a regiment, and of this command, known as the Thirtieth Alabama infantry, he was elected colonel, and commissioned in February, 1862. The regiment was assigned to Rains' and then to Barton's brigade, serving in the latter through the East Tennessee and Kentucky campaigns, He was in Stevenson's division, Bragg's army near Murfreesboro, and from there was sent to Pemberton's army, his regiment forming part of Tracy's brigade. Ordered to meet Grant's army at Port Gibson, the little brigade fought gallantly against great odds. The Thirtieth, said Colonel Garrott, under the "cool, brave and gallant Colonel Shelley," for a long time obstinately resisted the attacks of the enemy. At Baker's Creek, May 16th, the Alabama brigade, under S. D. Lee, were the heroes of the fight. The Forty-sixth, Thirtieth and Twenty-third were commended especially by Lee for distinguished gallantry, fighting against the enormous odds that Grant so masterfully threw against his scattered antagonists in this campaign. During the siege of Vicksburg he was praised by Lee as particularly