After veering off topic in the Van Dorn exodus thread, Bryan suggested a new thread. Since we were discussing other commanders and even some what if's, I've labeled this thread as Trans Mississippi Generals.

Richard Taylor, Cleburne, Hindman and others have been mentioned thus far, and Bryan invites responses regarding Shelby and Marmaduke.

Buckner, K Smith, Walker and Taylor are my favorite commanders in the Trans Mississippi, and I really don't have strong feelings about either Marmaduke or Shelby. I do know that our friend Jim McGhee and many others are much better suited to expound on the talent levels of these two officers.

I am indifferent regardng Marmaduke, except to question why he was chosen to lead the cavalry division that included Shelby. Marmaduke had only recently arrived from Mississippi, when he was initially given an infantry command by Hindman. Apparently, Holmes and Hindman were desperate for experienced soldiers that carried the rank of Brigadier General, and Marmaduke fit that role.

Even though he had been subsequently transferred from his brief command of infantry to replace Raines as the cavalry division commander on Oct. 22, 1862, apparently there was still discussion about whether he would have an infantry division. The bountiful Trans Mississippi information provided by the Alexander Papers reveals this paraphrased communication from Marmaduke to Hindman.

November 5, 1862, Van Buren
I wrote you that of the 3rd [infantry] or 4th Division, I preferred the 4th division cavalry
Shelby's brigade has about 1800 present including about 1200 armed and mounted. If he had arms he could parade about 2000 men. He is an excellent officer... well disciplined... and a splendid body of men...
This brigade can easily be made most valuable....
Shelby's and Jeans' regiments are full. Coffee's regiment numbers about 700. All it wants is a good commander..... The Lt Colonel would make a poor Colonel. There is a man here.... Colonel Thompson.... he would quickly bring this regiment out. Can I have his appt as Colonel?
I ask that you allow me to have this command and organize it for light and fast movement...
The Texans are [dis]mounted except Hawpe's regiment which will be here tomorrow. It was a bitter pill for them... their horses were gone...
Cravens makes a good commander... works hard-and they had better discipline than they ever had and is making them better troops daily... they say they want a Texan to command them-I am satisfied with him.
The Texas brigade under him will become valuable..
please answer soon with your decision

And here is an interesting message from "Granny" Holmes to Hindman regarding Marmaduke [and others]:

Official Records Vol 13
Little Rock, Ark., November 5, 1862. General T. C. HINDMAN]:

Your telegram* stating your trouble in regard to commanders induces me to caution you against feeling weak when any of your preconceived ideas of the importance of individuals are thwarted by the actions of higher authority. Believe me, there is not half as much difference between men as you think, particularly when they have a strong head and will like yours to guide and control them. In the case in point you have Marmaduke secure, with the date of his appointment, which is senior to all the new appointments. Shoup must yield, otherwise you will inspire disgust and contention. If I have been correctly informed, several other general officers will soon report, and hence the greater importance that we begin on a basis of seniority, reserving to ourselves the right of disposing of individuals to the best interest of the service without detriment to their rank. Pike's resignation Can it be possible the enemy were frightened at he movement of Parsons? If so, he must be much weaker than we have supposed, and when we are ready we will, I trust, be able to go after him. Nothing doing in the east except the Yankee papers say they will have the Mississippi River

Shelby's reputation speaks for itself, and the new Shelby book may provide additional insight into this outstanding cavalry leader.

If we are considering commanders that would be suitable for large bodies of troops of all arms, I'm unaware of any evidence of how Shelby could handle such a role. Who knows, the "Peter Principle" may have applied to Shelby, and promotion could have produced a mediocre Major or Lt General, with the double whammy of losing an outstanding smaller cavalry unit.

Marmaduke has really never caught my eye or interest. Unfortunately for this discussion, the deadly duel with General Walker is one of the few things that I recall about Marmaduke's career, other than his capture on the Price raid.