Charles Miller Shelley was a Civil War Confederate Brigadier General. He also served as a Representative from Alabama.
Background
Charles Miller Shelley was born on December 28, 1833, in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States. He was the son of the contractor and builder William Park Shelley and his wife Margaret Etter Shelley. His father was a brigadier general in the state militia.
Education
Charles Miller Shelley received limited schooling but showed an aptitude for architecture.
Career
Charles Miller Shelley became a successful businessman in Talladega, Alabama, and refrained entirely from prewar politics.
When the Civil War began, he became a lieutenant of artillery in the Confederate Army. After fighting in the battle of First Manassas, Shelley fought in Bragg's Kentucky campaign of 1862, having recruited the 30th Alabama Regiment of which he was a colonel.
After participating at the battle of Port Gibson, Mississippi, in May 1863, he was captured at Vicksburg in July. Following his release, Shelley fought with the Army of Tennessee in every battle from Chattanooga to Greensboro, including Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta Campaign, and the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. He was promoted to brigadier general on September 17, 1864.
Shelley's Brigade was devastated at Franklin and he saw no further service. There is no record of his surrender. After the war, he returned to his business in Alabama.
After serving as sheriff of Dallas County from 1874 to 1876, Charles Shelley was a Democratic congressman from Alabama from 1877 to 1885. From 1885 to 1889, he had a presidential appointment as the fourth auditor of the United States Treasury. He was also associated with the law firm of Shelley, Butler, and Martin in Alabama.
He moved to Birmingham, Alabama, in the 1890s where he promoted industrial pursuits until his death.
Achievements
Politics
Charles Miller Shelley was a member of the Democratic Party. Shelley's deputies constantly harassed black voters and politicos, while surrogates did the same in the other counties of the district. Democratic intimidation of black Republicans had reduced their voting, so Charles' reelection was much easier.
Membership
In January 1873 Charles Miller Shelley was one of the eleven charter members of the Selma Improved Order of Red Men.
Selma Improved Order of Red Men
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United States
Connections
Charles Miller Shelley married Kathleen McConnell on June 15, 1865, and, after her death, Ann Olivia McConnell. He had two sons and two daughters.