• Full Citation: Joseph Frederick Shelly, "The Shelly Papers," ed. Fanny Anderson and trans. Sophie Gemant, Indiana Magazine of History 44, no. 2 (June 1948): 181-198.
• Home: LaPorte County (Michigan City)
• Year: 1862-1863
• Regiment: 41st Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 2nd Calvary, Co. B
• Abstract: Shelly's (1830-1863) letters to his wife Pauline have been translated from the original German (Shelly was born in Baden, Germany). Shelly did not see major action, but took part in skirmishes around various camps in Tennessee. His letters are most interesting for camp details, his chastisement of his wife for having Copperhead sympathies, and assuring her that he will not take an African American mistress. He drowned while ferrying on the Cumberland River on November 29, 1863.
• Sample Text:
  1. "I have no news to tell you except that we discovered last week a soldier who turned out to be a girl. She had already been in service for 21 months and was twice wounded. Maybe she would have remained undiscovered for a long time, if she hadn't fainted. She was given a warm bath which gave the secret away." (Louisville, Ky., Feb. 23, 1863, p. 186)
  2. "Though I live in the negro country, I haven't changed my opinion of them, only strengthened it. They are not good for anything, unless driven to work, so you don't need to be afraid that I will fall in love with them, though it is the case with many soldiers." (Winchester, Tenn., Nov. 6, 1863, p. 197)
• LC Subject Headings:
  1. United States. Army. Indiana Cavalry Regiment, 2nd (1861-1865)

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