Written by James Reinemann, Senior Honors student at Western Carolina University
The following is an abstract of a longer research paper written for Robert Ferguson’s History class. If you would like more information please email him at rhferguson@email.wcu.edu.
During the American Civil War, one of the most heinous and controversial events happened in Western North Carolina. In 1863, thirteen Union sympathizers were murdered in Madison County, North Carolina, including a thirteen-year-old boy. Although it can be difficult to find the roles women played during the Shelton Laurel Massacre it does not diminish their impact on the event. Women on both sides of the conflict had considerable influence and insight into how life happened in not just the Shelton Laurel Valley but the whole of Madison County during the Civil War. Some of these women would have encouraged the initial raid on Marshall that caused the 64th North Carolina Infantry to return to the region, while others may have simply pleaded with the Confederate authorities to do something about the growing threat of Unionist guerillas in the region. Regardless of sides, the women of Madison County were trying to survive and protect their families during very turbulent times for not only the region, but the entire country. These women saw their men be conscripted, some saw their men desert and return home only to go into hiding, while others still saw their men return to Madison County as the perpetrators of a massacre. The women of Madison County showed considerable endurance in the face of this hardship and their unique experiences deserve to be remembered.
Thank you for publishing this. I am a direct descendant of Captain Eliphaz Shelton of Patrick County, Virginia. His younger brother, Captain Roderick “Roger” Shelton, both American Revolutionary War Captains, came to Buncombe County, part of which became Madison County, NC, as one of the earliest settlers. This area includes Shelton Laurel.
After an Oregon Shelton family celebration in 2007 celebrating 160 years in Oregon, I received an anonymous packet of materials on the Shelton Laurel Massacre. It almost seemed like providence that it landed in our hands because there is two things about the Sheltons in Oregon that come into play: we take care of our cemeteries and mow their lawns and grounds! And they are hard workers for no glory, they just get the job done. We were appalled at this tragedy….Comments came rolling in aghast at this all.
My husband and I researched this tragedy and came from Oregon, where their descendants came on the Oregon Trail in 1847, to Shelton Laurel to pay our respect on behalf of their Oregon cousins, to these thirteen Shelton men and boys–and one man not related.
Our visit was one of the most profound experiences of our lives. And when we were finished saying our prayers and telling them how sorry we were from the Oregon branches of their relatives, a double rainbow emerged in the sky of the pasture holding the mass grave of our people! It was a sign of sorts and it took us a step back on the ground in which they were buried.
There was no trial for the innocent Sheltons, one of the Shelton boys was only 10. In the wake of this march by Confederate soldiers up the Shelton Laurel valleys, were many women who were hung, whipped and beaten when they refused to give names of any male residing in the area, `1farming the farms left by soldiers who had done their duties on both sides to enlist in the Civil War effort….or to fight as guerilla soldiers in the mountains. One woman was hung while her newborn baby was laid crying in the snow. It was a brutal effort by barbarians as far as I am concerned and I hope no one ever forgets. The family branches in Oregon certainly will not.