The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-04-23
AZ. KeLLLA,s paNsION.

bossism in politics.
GEN, KGLLLl's PENSION.
The Eminent SERVICES no II rendered DurtuG
the DAIk DRya OF tho War,
SpeciaG Correspondence Of me hdella'ecr'
WASHINGTON, D. o., April 2l,-The bill
granting a pension Of $500 per month to
Gen. B. f. Kelley has passed the Senate
some days ago Senator Camden, from the
COMMITTEES On Pensions, made q favorable
report on Gen, Kelley's case, a note Of 1t
being made in my dispatches at the
time. Mr.. Camlen's report contains a
brief summary Of the Generals military
record, which will be read with interest
by his old comrades and friends IN West
Virginia and Ohio, and particularly 10y
the survivors Of "the gallant First" and
their friends. The report Is rs follows:
II appears from the record that .. +.
Kelley was commissioned Colonel OF the
First Virginia Regiment, United States
Army, May 20, 1851, and was mustered
into the service.
That on August 8, 1861, he was COM
missloned as Brlgadler General OF yoluu-
teerp, to rank US such from May H. 1861;
and that he resigned june ! 1860.
At the battle Of Philippl, the first
fought during the war, no was severely
wounded and permanently injured by a
gunshot wound iraCturing the bones OF
the breast and shoulder, and injuring his
lungs. The following extracts from his
military history furnishes information in
regard to his services;
General B. +. Kelley, Of West Vir:
ginia, raised the first regiment oil loyal
troops south OF Mason and Dixon's line
during the late war, and was commits.
stoned colonel OF the regiment May 20,
1861, and mustered into tue service olthe
United States.
"By order OF General Mcclellan, then
commandments Department Of the Ohio,
Colonel Kelley was directed to assume
command Of all the loyal troops then in
Virginia, and all others that had been or
dered TO report to him.
ION the 9Th Of May, 1851, Colonel KEEL
ley left Wheeling with his regiment for
Grafton, on the Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road, followed tho next day by the Six
tenth Ohio and the Ninth Ohio.
"Graiton at that time was held by o Con.
federate force under the command Of Col
onel Porterl0ld.
"On June !, 1851, Kelley's iorcesreached
Grafton and occupied the plaCe, Colonel
Porteilleld having retrested to Philippi
on the approach OF the Union folcss.
ION the the afternoon OF the I'd Of
June, Kelley moved onto Phillppi, march,
Ing all night through a d~renching rain,
and attacked the enemy at 4 O'Clock on
the morning Of the Sd.
"Tho enemy was completely taken by
surprise and routed some were'killed and
many captured. Alarge amount Of storos,
arms, and ammunition, horses, wagons,
Sc, fell into the hands OF the Union
forces.
"Colonel Kelley, commanding, was &C.
verely, and AZ first thought to be mortal
ly, wounded, having been shot, whilst
making the charge, through tho right
breast and the upper part OF the lung.
"As an evidence Of the high apprecia-
ton Of his conduct, attention Is called 10
tho following kilograms from Generals
Mcclellan and Morris:
"CINclNNATi, June 3, 1851.
ITO General 7. A. Morris:
"say TO Colonel Kelley that l cannot
yet believe II possible that one who has
opened his career 30 brilliantly can be
MORALLY wounded. In the name Of the
country / thank him for his conduct,
which has been the most brilliant episode
Of the war thus far. II 1t can cheer him
in his last moments, tell him / cannot re.
pair his loss, and that / only regret that /
cannot be by his side in person.
God bless him.
GEORGE B. MCMILLAN.
GRAFTON, June 8, 1851.
10 Colonel Kelley!
S1R:-Iam extremely pleased and great
ly gratifed OF your gallant and soldierly
conduct In the expedition which owes It's
success TO your gallant conduct. 1 feel
that your country owes you a deep debt
OF gratitude Tor your services on the occa-
sion, and q grateful people cannot but
render TO you that honor you 90 richly
deserve. I. A. NORRIS,
BrigadiersG General.
Extnct from General Morrls'S repOrLl
am extremely sorry to report that the
gallant Colonel Kelley, Of the Flrst Wiz.
ginia Regiment, while leading the attack
Of bis column, fell severely wounded by a
shot In tho breast. The wound, at first
supposed to be mortal, lam glad 10 know
will only deprive Us Of his valuable ciun.
sells and assistance for o few weeks. Much
Of the success Of our attack is due to him.
His thorough knowledge OF the country,
his Bkill Ia rendering that knowledge
available, his cool and dnilinChing courage
will deprive Us for the time oil a great sup.
port.
tExlAct from General McClell&n's repottl
Colonel Kelley, who conducted the
movement on Philippi With marked ability
and zeal, received q severe wound early In
The action, which at the time was supposed
to be mortal, but l am now happy TO say
he Ia considered out Of danger,
From the moment he received my or
ders At Wheeling TO move on Grafton DIP
10 the time he was wounded, he has ex-
hibitod In al eminent degree the qualities
OF an efficient commander, and l take this
opportunity Of renewing my recommends.
zion for hi6 promotion 10 the rank Of brig.
A~dlefgeneral.
IL XVIII be observed that General Kelley
not only organized the first loyal tegf.
nent ii The entire South, but that he
fought and won the Atst victory achieved
on Southern soil, In which he was severe.
ly wounded. The war record shows an
unbfoken series Of brilliant achievements
BY him during the whole war.
General Kelley IL now In his seventy.
ninth year, and for want Of means neCes.
safy to the support othimeeli and family,
he has been forced 10 seek and accept d
subordinate position In the Pension Office,
where he iS subject 10 all the rigid rules
and exactions Incident 10 the conduct Of
that Department,
He is frequently disabled for duty In
consequence Of an almost constant cough