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Fallen Guidon The Saga of Confederate General Jo Shelby's March to Mexico by Edwin Adams Davis |
When General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House, some Confederates refused to abandon their cause. Fallen Guidon, originally published in 1962 by Stagecoach Press, is the gripping story of one such group of men.
Having heard that Lincoln liked the idea of having former Confederate soldiers oust Emperor Maximilian from Mexico, Shelby decided that he had found a way to save their honor, spread their lost Southern empire, and gain riches and glory all at the same time.
Marching from camp at Corsicana, Texas, behind their war-scarred guidon or flag, the brigade passed through Waco, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and other towns, declaring martial law and discouraging looters. In a funereal ceremony they buried their Confederate battle flag in the murky waters of the Rio Grande before heading into Mexico.
But Shelby's men did not want to join Mexican guerrillas to fight the emperor's forces. Identifying themselves as "imperialists," the "Iron Brigade" headed for Mexico City to offer their services to Emperor Maximilian. Along the way they spilled the blood of guerrillas and bandits, and in the name of diehard chivalry, they carried out a fiery, bloody attack on a hacienda to rescue an imprisoned woman. Once in Mexico City, the "Iron Brigade" discovered its march to have been futile, and in a bittersweet final review, Shelby said good-bye. The fate of the brigade's guidon is unknown.
" . . . a fascinating account of this relatively neglected episode of the last organized unit of the Confederacy. . . . To add authentic color to his story, Dr. Davis frequently incorporates conversations, all of which—with the exception of the opening scene—have been taken from the reminiscent writings of Shelby's adjutant, Major John N. Edwards."—Arizona and the West
"Davis has told in pleasing style the story of the adventures of General Joseph Shelby. . . "—Southwestern Historical Quarterly
EDWIN ADAMS DAVIS was a professor of history at Louisiana State University. He did research for this book at archives in the United States and Mexico.
Fallen Guidon
ISBN 0-89096-683-4 cloth $27.50s
+ ISBN 0-89096-684-2 paper $19.95
LC 95-12207. 5 1/2 x 8 1/2. 192 pp. 1 b&w photo. 16 line drawings. 2 maps.
American History. Civil War. Latin American History.
Publication Date: November 1995.
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