Benjamin Franklin Kelley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benjamin Franklin Kelley
Benjamin Franklin Kelley
Born	(1807-04-10)April 10, 1807 New Hampton, New Hampshire
Died	July 16, 1891(1891-07-16) (aged 84) Oakland, Maryland
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1861 - 1865
Rank	Brigadier General Brevet Major General
Unit	1st West Virginia Volunteer Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of Philippi Races Battle of Romney Battle of Blue's Gap Gettysburg Campaign Battle of Folck's Mill Battle of Moorefield
Other work	revenue collector, Indian agent, examiner of pensions

Benjamin Franklin Kelley (born April 10, 1807 – died July 16, 1891) was an American soldier. He became a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was important in many battles and military actions in West Virginia and Maryland.

Life of Benjamin Franklin Kelley

Early Years

Benjamin Kelley was born in New Hampton, a small town in New Hampshire. When he was 19, he moved to Wheeling, Virginia. This city was a busy trading center. He worked in the merchandise business until 1851. After that, he became a freight agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

Serving in the Civil War

When the American Civil War began, Kelley was living in Philadelphia. He was still working for the B&O Railroad. He left his job and moved to Wheeling. There, he took command of the 1st Virginia Infantry. This was a volunteer regiment that served for three months. Kelley was made a colonel of this group.

First Battles and Promotions

Kelley's first military action was at Philippi. During this battle, his troops captured the Confederate camp supplies. Kelley himself was badly wounded. On August 5, 1861, he was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers. He also won battles at Romney and Blue's Gap. Later, General Kelley led a large group of 10,000 soldiers in the Harper's Ferry area.

Later War Actions

In 1862, Kelley served under Major General John C. Frémont. The next year, he was in charge of the West Virginia military area. He chased General Robert E. Lee during the Retreat from Gettysburg. In 1864, Kelley stopped enemy forces at Folck's Mill, New Creek, and Moorefield, West Virginia. On August 5, 1864, he was given the honorary rank of major general of volunteers.

Capture and Release

On February 21, 1865, General Kelley and his boss, Major General George Crook, were captured. A small group of Confederate soldiers took them. Kelley was sent to a prison in Richmond, Virginia. However, he and Crook were set free on March 20 through a special prisoner exchange. Kelley left the army on June 1, 1865.

Life After the War

After the Civil War ended, Kelley was given a new job in 1866. He became an internal revenue collector. He worked in this role for ten years. In 1876, he became the head of the Hot Springs, Arkansas, Military Reservation. In 1883, President Chester A. Arthur appointed him to check on pensions.

Death and Burial

Benjamin Franklin Kelley died in Oakland, Maryland. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His gravestone was made by sculptor W.S. Davis. It is a large stone made of granite. It has a bronze picture of Kelley's head on the front. This picture shows him with a full beard and a military uniform.

Two plaques are on his gravestone. One plaque says:

BENJAMIN F. KELLEY

COLONEL 1ST VIRGINIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY

BRIGADIER AND BREVET MAJOR GENERAL

U.S.V.

WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF PHILLIPI VIRGINIA

JUNE 3, 1861.

The other plaque says:

HIS WIFE

MARY CLARE BRUCE KELLEY

DIED DECEMBER 24, 1910

Images for kids

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  Front view of Benjamin F. Kelley's grave

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  Close-up detail of the gravestone