The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-26

~ tfsyiti ~ sfss W 80
the 10th Ohio and the oh Ind. Grafton at
that time was held by Confederate force in
command Of Col. Porterfeld. On June !, 1861,
/ Keleys forces reached Grafton and occupied
the place Col. Porterfeld having rctreated to
| Phiippi on tho approach Of the Union forces.
On the afternoon Of June 2 Kelley moved on
Philippi, marching all night through drench-
] ing rain and attacked the enemy at o'clock
on the morning of the Sd. The enemy were
completely taken by surprise and routed, some
being killed and many captured. A large
amount of stores arms and ammunition, horses,
wagons, etc. fell into the hands Of the Union
forces. Col. Kelley was severely and at first
thought TO be mortally wounded having been
shot while making the charge through the
right breast and the upper part Of the lung. As
an evidence of the high appreciation of his
conduct attention is called TO the following tel
egrans from Gems. Mcclellan and Morris:
CINCINNATI, June g. 1861.
Say 10 Col. Kelley that i cannot yet believe 81
possible that one who has opened his career so
Of the country thank him for his conduct, which
has been the most brilliant episode of the thus
far. IL 1t can cheer him in his last moments tell
him cannot repair his loss aud that only regret
that cannot be 10y his side 20 thank him in person.
God bless him. GBoRGE B. MCCLELLAN.
GRAFTON, June 3. 1861.
| To Col KELLEY
am extremely pleased and greatly gratified at
your gallant and sOldierly conduct in the eSpedi-
ton which owes its success TO your gallant
! duct. J iee that your country owes you a deep
"eol ol EfaNuoe iof your services on the occasion,
and grateful people cannot but render 10 you that
honor you richly deserve.
T. A MORRIS. Brigader- General.
| The following is an extract from Gen. Murris's
report:
am extremely sorry 10 report that the gallant
Col Kelley. of the Lest Va whist leading The attack
of his column fell severely wounded 10y shot in
the breast The wound al first supposed 10 be NOR
tai, j am glad 10 know will only deprive Of his
valuable counsels and assistance for a few weeks.
Much Of the success u our attack is due to him.
His thorough knowledge Of the country. his skill
in rendering that knowledge available his cool and
nnfinching courage will deprive Tor the time Of
a great support.
Gen. Mcclellan said in his official report:
Col. Kelley. who conducted the movement on
/ Phillip with marked ability and zeal, received a
severe wound early in te action. which al the time
say he D. considered out Of danger. From the mo-
ment lac received my orders at Wheeling 10 move
| on Grafton up 10 the time be was wounded he has
exhibited ln eminent degree the qualities OF an
| efficient commander, and take this opportunity of
renewing my recommendation for his promotion
TO the rank Of Brigadier-General.
Having the advantage Of excellent surgical
and medical skill and careful nursing, Col. Kel-
ley gradually recovered from his wound, so that
at the end Of 90 days he was able TO assume the
command Of the Railroad Division, with head
| quarters at Grafton, 10 which Gen. Mcclellan
assigned him when he left Virginia 10 assume
command of the Army of the Potomac. In the
meantime Col. Kelley had been appointed by
the President Brigadier-General. IL is proper
60 rema,k here that the B. g. O. Railroad was the
only avenue in all that section by which SOL
diers and supplies could be quickly transported,
and hence 10 protect il became matter OF mil
itarg necessity 10 the Union forces
This position involved the protection Of the B.
d o. Railroad from Cumberland, Md, 10 Wheel
ing aud Parkersburg, Va, and the protection OF
the loyal people on the border, a duty both
onerous and difficult, and much of the time
attended with personal hazard and priyation.
On Oct. p, 1861, lac received an order from
Gen. Scott 10 concentrate his forces and attack
and capture Romney, w. Va This order was
promptly obeyed by concentrating his forces at
New Crock on the B. q o. Railroad. On the
morning of the 9th he moved on Homney.
which place he attacked at p. m. After a sharp
engagement he defeated the enemy, capturing
many prisoners aud large amount o: stores.
arms, ammunition, horses, wagons, etc, also onC
l2-ponud and one six-pound gun, with caissons
horses, ammunition. etc.
The following complimentary telegram was
received from tue War Department for has sue
cessful action;
HEADQUARTERS ARMY, I
MAsHINGToN, Oct. 80, 1861. !
Brig Gen. Kelley. u. S. A., Eomney Va:
} Your late movement upon and signal victory 81
Romney do YOU great honor IA the opinion 81 the
President and 0f Licut.-G scott Nou shall bs
reinforced ar soon az practicable Ia the mealtime
y necessary call ior any troops AT Cumberland ol
New Crock
BY command.
u d. TOWNSEND, Asst AdTt-Gen.
, Gen. Kelley was now assigned 10 the COM
, mand u the Department OF Harpers Ferry anC
J Cumberland. lie remained at Romney unit
. tie lst Of January, l5i@, organizing and drill
! ing his troops aud thoroughly scouting tht
! ! country aud opening and protecting the B. & .
Railroad east OF Cumberland. From hard and
constant work and exposure his health bccam,
impaired, has wound 50 painful that lie Wal
: compelled 10 ask 10 be relieved. Gen. j. w
LAudel was ordered 10 relieve him, which b,
dld on Lle 10th OF January, 1862
. at has earnest roquest tirn Kelley remained
d a few DAYS al Cumberland for the purpose o
advising with him in reference 10 the loca
geography Of the neghb0ring Counties ia Nir
gina aud the contemplated movement OF Li
. command. AT the expiration Of his leave ht
4 was ordered 10 assume his former command
q / with headquarters al Cumberland, Md. Duriny
n the summer has troops gere frequently ngases
I with the enemy whilst scouting the Countie
of Hardy and Hampshire in Virginia
- In December, ls62, Gen. Kelley was orderet
/, 10 assume command Of tho First Division ol tht
I. Middle Department, with headquarters at Har
% psT's Ferry This command embraced all tn
troops in the Shenandoah Valley, Va. and il
Maryland west Of the Monocacy River. aud in
e yolVed The protection Of the Chesapeake d. Obi
y Canal aud the Baltimore d Ohio Railroad eas
> OF Cumberland. Here he remained until tn
1 - af mi pgl he pva IN
y lieve Brighten. b. l.. Roberts, commanding
= division, with headquarters AT Clsrksburg, Mes
b Va
!; shortly after this the Department Of Mes
e Virginia was organized, aud Cen Kelley wa
= assigned 10 the command This command in
+. volped a long border line, reaching from th
= Mon0cacy River ia Maryland 10 the Big Sand,
River, the Kentucky line, as well as the pro