Vassallo: The Civil War Women Who Fought

Shelby Lynn Harriel

Shelby Lynn Harriel will be arriving in Oxford on Saturday, May 21 to present her unique findings and research regarding a subject that only has been disclosed in recent years. The approximate 130 year secret is now out in the open.

HottyToddy.com: Shelby, please give us a little personal history before we go into battle.

Shelby Lynn Harriel: I was born and raised just south of Poplarville in Steep Hollow, Mississippi. I attended Pearl River Community College prior to graduating from University of Southern Mississippi.

HottyToddy.com: You have been invited to Oxford to discuss a most interesting subject. How did this come about?

Shelby Lynn Harriel: I was invited by the Oxford Newcomers Club to deliver a presentation about women who fought in the Civil War on the front lines. Reba Greer attended one of my presentations this past April in Olive Branch which led to the Oxford invitation.

HottyToddy.com: How did you become interested in this subject?

Harriel during a Gettysburg reenactment, 2008

Shelby Lynn Harriel: In elementary school I developed a passion for Civil War history stemming from the history of Mississippi. I later began participating in reenactments as I have been athletic my entire life. During this process I learned about the women of the Civil War who were actually engaged in combat. This subject is a relatively new topic that was brought to the forefront as recently as 1997. In 2007 I discovered a book published in 2006 that highlighted the women soldiers.

HottyToddy.com: We understand you will be writing your own book very soon.

Shelby Lynn Harriel: That is correct. “Forbidden Hidden & Forgotten…Women Soldiers of the Civil War” will be released in the near future.

HottyToddy.com: How many of these ladies fought for the South?

Shelby Lynn Harriel: We don’t know for certain as they had to be disguised as a man to actually become involved in combat.

HottyToddy.com: The feminism movement started long before anyone ever imagined.

Shelby Lynn Harriel: In 2002, Blanton and Cook wrote the definitive on the subject, “They Fought Like Demons.”

HottyToddy.com: How did this revelation ever surface?

Shelby Lynn Harriel: Many, after being wounded, betrayed themselves. Relatives often visited camps where their sisters, daughters or mothers were engaged. As to specific battles, they fought in every major one including Vicksburg and Shiloh.

HottyToddy.com: Were the ladies fighting on both sides?

Shelby Lynn Harriel: At Vicksburg they were all Federals. These women of the North were patriotic, adventurous and often following male sweethearts. Many were abolitionists.

HottyToddy.com: Which side had the most?

Shelby Lynn Harriel: Of those actually identified from a statistical sample of 153, 70 percent were Union. Many of the Confederate records were destroyed so we will never know for sure. The best estimate today is that the total population was somewhere between hundreds and thousands.

Harriel with her fiance, Mark Hidlebaugh, during a Gettysburg reenactment in 2015.

HottyToddy.com: This is truly fascinating. I never knew.

Shelby Lynn Harriel: The northern women were more liberal as the confederate women were more likely engaged as the war was in their backyard and they were defending their homes. Even Nathan Bedford Forrest had a lady under his command.

HottyToddy.com: How can one make plans to hear you while in Oxford?

Shelby Lynn Harriel: It is open to the public at 10 am on Saturday, May 21 at Burns Belfry. You can reserve a spot on or before Tuesday, May 10th by emailing talleyj1946@gmail.com.

HottyToddy.com: There is a luncheon immediately following.

Shelby Lynn Harriel: That is correct. It will be at Cedar Oaks. The cost is $15. Reservations for the lunch can be made by contacting Rosie at the Chamber of Commerce.

HottyToddy.com: I must ask you yet another question as the Civil War has always intrigued me and actually was the catalyst that led me to Ole Miss. Are there any women identified in Civil War cemeteries?

Shelby Lynn Harriel: Buried in Montezuma Cemetery in Linville, NC are Keith and Melinda Blaylock. This couple actually fought for both sides and were wounded in battle, but survived the war.

Shelby will be delivering her presentation in Confederate gear. I cannot wait to hear this most interesting and unique subject being discussed. And to think that this piece of history has been swept under the rug for a century and a half. Shame, shame on those Yankees for destroying the records!

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.

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