William Kelsey was born in Newton, Sussex County, NJ in December 1844, and was orphaned at a young age. He was working as a farm hand in Lafayette Township when he enlisted as a drummer boy in Company D in July 1862. On June 16, 1863, on the march to the Potomac, just as the order came to fall in line, a stack of arms fell, and the bullet from a musket exploded and struck William C Kelsey in the neck. At first it was thought the carotid artery was cut and he asked the Doctor “Am I dying?” The answer came “You’ll be dead in less than 15 minutes”. He asked for the chaplain and the Rev. Haines was called and prayed earnestly with him while one of the Surgeons thrust his fingers full length into the wound. The Surgeon called for a roll of lint and a roll of linen threads had been brought that had been picked and sent by some school girls in New York. This was rolled into a plug and forced into the wound. He was conveyed to a tent of some Calvary videlles, where he was left temporarily. To the surprise of all, he reached Washington alive and later transferred to the invalid corps. While recuperating, he was made Assistant, Past Master at York, Penn. He was mustered out on May 30, 1865.