The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-10-13
Sketch of the Superintendent of the
Hot Springs of Arkansas.

h0C springs OF Arkansas.
General B. f. Kelley, of West
Virginia, who has recently been APP
pointed by the President superinten-
dent of the Hot Springs reservation
in Arkansas, is native of New
Hampshire; emigrated to Virginia
in early life, and settled at Wheeling
and pursued the occupation of a
merchant till 1850. He then removed
0 Philadelphia and was appointed
freight agent on the Baltimore and
Ohio and the Philadelphia and
Washington railroads, which po-
sition he held till May, 1861. When
quite young he evinced IA taste and
talent for military life, and was for
some time sent to a military school.
During his residence in Wheeling he
took an active interest in the volun-
teer militia, and commanded a vol
unteer regiment for many years. The
officers and man of this regiment
formed the nucleus of the First
Virginia regiment Of three months
volunteers. Upon the organization
Of this regiment Gen. Kelley was
unanimously elected Colonel,
although he had been residing in
Philadelphia for ten years On being
advised of his election, he at once re-
signed his position in the railroad
| service and repOrted for duty in
| Weeling, and assumed command.
On the 9th of May he moved out on
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to-
ward Grafton, where the rebels were
concentrating a force to Overrun and
hold Western Virginia. On his
approach they retired from Grafton
and fell back to Philippi, where Kel-
ley attacked them on the morning Of
the Sd of June, totally routing them
capturing many prisoners, and all
their arms, munitions and stores. In
this action General Kelley was
severely wounded by a musket ball
through the right breast. which at
first was pronounced mortal bg his
surgeons, but by careful nursing and
vigorous constitution he recovered
so far as to be able to assume COM
mand of the railroad division on the
LIST of August following. In the
meantime he had been appointed
brigadier general of volunteers, and
he continued in this command,
although suffering most of the time
severely from the effect of his wound.
On the 18th of October, 1861, he was
ordered by Gen. Scott, than com
mander-in-chief, to attack, capture
and hold ROmney. This was the
last order ever issued by the old
'Hero Of Lundy'S Lane" and was
fully and promptly executed. Gen
Kelley was then assigned to the
command Of the Department Of
Harper's Ferry and Cumberland with
headquarters at ROmney.
In January, 1862, in consequence
of his wound and exposure, he was
compelled to ask to be relieved from
his command. In April following
| he had recovered sufficiently to
accept the command Of the Mountain
department, with headquarters at
Cumberland. Md, which involved
specially the protection of the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad and its
equipment. In December he was
ordered by the Secretary of War to
assume command Of the First diYi-
sion of the Middle department, with
head quarters at Harper's Ferry. He
continued in this command till July
1868, when he was relieved and
ordered. to the command of the
Second division, with headquarters
at Clarksburg, West Va. Shortly
after assuming this command the
Department of West Virginia was
established, and he was assigned to
its command. This was the only in
stance where the command of de-
partment was conferred on briga-
dier general.
During the time he was in COM
mand of the Department of West
Virginia an active and successful
campaign was carried on against the
enemy along the whole line. In
March, 1861, he was relieved by Gen.
Style, and given one month leave of
absence. On the expiration of his
leave he was assigned to his Old
command. with headquarters at
Cumberland, Md. In August, 1864.
Generals McCausland and johnson
after burning Chambersburg, moved
on Cumberland, and We're repulsed
by Gen. Kelley. Ten days after
they attacked New Greek, and were
again repulsed by Kelley's force. He
then ordered his cavalry to pursue
them, overtake and attack them
wherever found. They were over
taken at Moorfeld, attacked and
totally routed. For the skill and
gallantry in these actions he Was
brevetted a Major General. u.
After the close Of the war he re-
signed, and in 1866 was appointed
collector of internal revenue for the
first district of West Virginia, which
Office he held till 1878. During the
time he was in Office he collected
millions of dollars, every cent of
which was promptly and honestly
deposited in the United States Treas
ury. Since he retired from the col
lector's office he has remained most
of the time on his beautiful farm in
the Glades, near Oakland, engaged
in raising fine Devon cattle. AL
though the General is we'll advanced
in years he is in vigorous health, with
mind as sound and active as ever.
He will undoubtedly discharge the
4. Al. 1 L