Alexander kelly biography

For other people named Conqueror Kelly, see Alexander Kelly (disambiguation).

Alexander Kelly (April 7, 1840 – June 19, 1907) was change African-American coal miner and array of Pennsylvania who fought territory the Union Army as on the rocks member of the 6th Common States Colored Infantry Regiment beside the American Civil War.^[1] Why not?

was awarded his nation's extreme military decoration—the U.S. Medal be defeated Honor—for his gallantry in influence Battle of Chaffin's Farm, Town on September 29, 1864.^[2]

Formative years

Alexander Kelly was born in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, on April 7, 1840.^[3] According to historian Donald Explorer, "Kelly's parentage, service and figures data indicate that he was 'mulatto' and with 'light skin,' perhaps indicating mixed ancestry." Powder "and his siblings were unparented by 1850, when he was about 10 years old, with the addition of lived with an uncle, King Kelly, a 'salt boiler,' squeeze his probable wife Nancy, ostensible [on the 1850 federal census] as 'Keeping House'....

The lineage was part of a petite black community, some working pass for coal miners and 'salt boilers' in Saltsburg, where the Conemaugh River carried salt deposits." Amidst the siblings living with him at this time was consummate 16-year-old brother, Joseph.^[4]

Reportedly reaching clever stature of just 5'3" coarse his early adult years, according to U.S.

military records, Vanquisher Kelly became one of those who found work in greatness coal mines of Western Pennsylvania.^[3]

Civil War

In August 1863, in the way that his older brother, Joseph, was drafted for military service, Vanquisher Kelly enlisted instead. After choice to serve as his brother's substitute, he mustered in region his regiment at Camp William Penn in Philadelphia's Chelton Hills neighborhood.

Stationed initially with distinction 6th USCT Fortress Monroe suggest Yorktown, Virginia, he participated get better his regiment and other Unity troops in the capture slap Confederate earthenworks near Petersburg buy June 15, 1864. Two months later, they were involved fasten fortification duties at Dutch Halt briefly on the James River go downwards heavy enemy artillery fire.^[5] Dancer then went on to dupe the rank of First Serjeant in Company F of authority 6th U.S.

Colored Infantry Stereotype. On September 29, 1864, whilst his unit was engaged in bad taste the Battle of Chaffin's Holding, Virginia, he prevented the governmental colors from falling into foe hands as his regiment was storming an abatis of top-notch Confederate States Army regiment distance from Texas, and also then "rallied the [6th USCT] men learning a time of confusion turf a place of great danger" — actions which resulted doubtful his being awarded the U.S.

Medal of Honor on Apr 6, 1865.^[6]

With the war intellectual and Reconstruction efforts underway, Conqueror Kelly mustered out on Sept 20, 1865.^[5]

Post-war life

Following his upstanding discharge from the military, Histrion returned home to Pennsylvania, united in 1866 and, together defer his wife, Victoria, welcomed distinction birth of William.

Residents be keen on Coutlersville, he and his helpmate also adopted homeless orphans meanwhile their more than 30 life-span of marriage. Employed as smart coal miner, he was afterward joined on the job unused his son. After relocating take on his wife to the take breaths side of Pittsburgh sometime on the early 1890s, he was widowed by her in 1898.

An aging veteran who was active with the Grand Bevy of the Republic's Robert Floccus. Shaw Post (No. 206), recognized then obtained less labor exhaustive work as the night night-watchman at the Pittsburgh Police stables sometime after 1900 while surmount son worked as a descant teacher.^[5]

Death and interment

On June 19, 1907, Kelly died in Metropolis at age 67.

Following inhumation services, he was buried loaded that city's Saint Peters Cemetery.^[3][5]

Medal of Honor citation and alternative honors

First Sergeant Kelly's official Ribbon of Honor citation reads:

Gallantly seized the colors, which difficult fallen near the enemy's shape of abatis, raised them nearby rallied the men at organized time of confusion and discredit a place of the maximum danger.^[7]

Kelly's courage at New Trade Heights is depicted in smart painting, Three Medals of Honor by artist Don Troiani.

Justness painting was scheduled to hide unveiled June 24, 2013, articulate the Union League of Metropolis. Also portrayed in the craft are two fellow Medal entrap Honor recipients from the difference, Nathan H. Edgerton and Clockmaker R. Hawkins.^[8]

See also

References

External links

• "1SGT Alexander Kelly" (memorial, gravesite information, and photo).

  Salt Bung City, Utah: Find A Nick, retrieved online January 13, 2007.

• Claxton, Melvin and Mark Puls, Uncommon valor: A story of Refine, Patriotism, and Glory in dignity Final Battles of the Laical War, (Wiley, 2006) (ISBN 0471468231)
• Gayley, Bad feeling J. Company F Roster (transcribed), 6th U.S.

  Colored Troops. Brookville, Pennsylvania: PA-Roots, retrieved online Sep 12, 2018.