COL Kelly, Patrick

Patrick Kelly​

Born: 1822

Birthplace: County Galway, Ireland

Father: Patrick Kelly 1790 – 1831

Mother: Mary McNully

Wife: Elizabeth Kelly 1823 – 1858

(Buried: Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York)​

Occupation before War:

Immigrated to the United States from Ireland​

Civil War Career:

1861: Captain Company E, 69th​ New York Infantry Regiment​

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1861: Participated in the First Battle of Bull Run, Virginia​

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1861 – 1862: Captain, United States Army, 16th​ Infantry Regiment​

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1862: Served in the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee​

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1862: Brevetted for gallantry at Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee​

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1862: Lt. Colonel of 88th​ New York Infantry Regiment

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1862: Regimental Commander at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland​

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1862 – 1864: Colonel of 88th​ New York Infantry Regiment​

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1862: Received a perfunctory commendation form General Hancock​

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1863: Acting Commander of the Irish Brigade​

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1863: Brigade Commander at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia​

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1863: Brigade Commander at Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania​

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1864: Brigade Commander at Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia​

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1864: Brigade Commander at Siege of Petersburg, Virginia​

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1864: Shot thru the head during the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia​

Died: June 16, 1864

Place of Death: Petersburg, Virginia

Age at time of Death: 41 or 42 years old

Burial Place: Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, New York

 

[Lubliner]

I would like to know his replacement at Petersburg after being shot through the head. He seems to have been a very strong and supportive leader.
Lubliner.

 

[Cavalier]

A commendation from Hancock. That's saying something in itself.

John

 

[Luke Freet]

Patrick Kelly:​

Born: 1822
Birthplace: County Galway IrelandView attachment 365056
Father: Patrick Kelly 1790 – 1831
Mother: Mary McNully
Wife: Elizabeth Kelly 1823 – 1858
(Buried: Calvary Cemetery Woodside New York)

Occupation before War:
Immigrated to the United States from Ireland

Civil War Career:
1861: Captain Company E 69th​ New York Infantry Regiment
1861: Participated in the First Battle of Bull Run Virginia
1861 – 1862: Captain United States Army 16th​ Infantry Regiment
1862: Served in the Battle of Shiloh Tennessee
1862: Brevetted for gallantry at Battle of Shiloh Tennessee
1862: Lt. Colonel of 88th​ New York Infantry Regiment
1862: Regimental Commander at the Battle of Antietam Maryland
1862 – 1864: Colonel of 88th​ New York Infantry Regiment
1862: Received a perfunctory commendation form General Hancock
1863: Acting Commander of the Irish Brigade
1863: Brigade Commander at the Battle of Chancellorsville VirginiaView attachment 365057
1863: Brigade Commander at Battle of Gettysburg Pennsylvania
1864: Brigade Commander at Battle of Cold Harbor Virginia
1864: Brigade Commander at Siege of Petersburg Virginia
1864: Shot thru the head during the Siege of Petersburg Virginia


Died: June 16, 1864
Place of Death: Petersburg Virginia
Age at time of Death: 41 or 42 years old
Burial Place: Calvary Cemetery Woodside New York

I o

I would like to know his replacement at Petersburg after being shot through the head. He seems to have been a very strong and supportive leader.
Lubliner.

I believe Captain Richard Moroney breifly commanded until Colonel Robert Nugent arrived to take command.

 

[rpkennedy]

I o

I believe Captain Richard Moroney breifly commanded until Colonel Robert Nugent arrived to take command.

That is correct. Colonel Nugent took command of the brigade at the end of October 1864. At the outset of the Overland Campaign, the brigade was commanded by Colonel Richard Byrnes of the 28th Massachusetts until he was mortally wounded at Cold Harbor when Patrick Kelly took over and was then killed 2 weeks later at Petersburg. Captain Richard Moroney took command but the brigade was consolidated into the other brigades of the division due to the reduction of their strength.

Ryan

 

[Pollaco]

He was second in command of one of the regiments that made up Irish Brigade. Just two weeks before he was killed on June 16,1864 he succeeded to command of the brigade.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Remembering the Colonels at Gettysburg. Salutes thanks Colonel Kelly for your service to the Union cause.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Remembering Colonel Patrick Kelly on Saint Patrick's Day!

 

[Luke Freet]

1861 – 1862: Captain, United States Army, 16th Infantry Regiment1862: Served in the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee1862: Brevetted for gallantry at Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee

Huh, did not know about this.

 

[USS ALASKA]

The Irish Brigade In The Civil War: The 69th New York and Other Irish Regiments of The Army Of The Potomac by Joseph G. Bilby

The unveiling of the Irish Brigade Memorial at Antietam this year focuses attention on one of the most colorful units of the American Civil War. Despite its distinguished record and key role in the war, no detailed history of the brigade has been written in 130 years. Made up largely of New York Irishmen, the Brigade made a decisive contribution to the Union victory at Antietam, suffered fearfully in a gallant charge at Fredericksburg, and made a famous stand in the Wheatfield on the second day at Gettysburg, as depicted in the recent film. The full co-operation of the present-day 69th New York National Guard helped make possible the compilation of this detailed account, which includes 13 period maps and 270 illustrations, many of them rare photos from private collections. The original hardcover limited edition of Bilby's book quickly sold out to re-enactors, veteran and active members of the 69th Regiment, and hard-core Civil War collectors; the Combined Publishing trade paperback is the first edition made available directly to the general public. Joseph G. Bilby is a popular columnist for the Civil War News and a veteran of the current 69th Regiment. He is also the author of Civil War Firearms.

The Irish Brigade In The Civil War: The 69th New York and Other Irish Regiments of The Army Of The Potomac: Bilby, Joseph G.: 9780938289975: Amazon.com: Books

The Irish Brigade In The Civil War: The 69th New York and Other Irish Regiments of The Army Of The Potomac [Bilby, Joseph G.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Irish Brigade In The Civil War: The 69th New York and Other Irish Regiments of The Army Of The Potomac

www.amazon.com

Cheers,
USS ALASKA

 

[Pollaco]

There must be a slight difference in Volunteer and regular army. His Shiloh brevet was to major but he was already a Lt. Colonel?

 

[SeanMichaelChick]

Is there a source for his Shiloh service? I have always read he was a lieutenant colonel in 1861.

The official Shiloh report for the 16th US is copied below. I see no mention of Kelly.

No. 95.Report of Capt. Edwin F. Townsend, Sixteenth U. S. Infantry.Hdqrs. First Battalion Sixteenth Infantry,Battle-field, near Pittsburg Landing, April 12, 1862.Major: I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 7th instant the battalion under my command went into action with the enemy at this place, numbering 276 rank and file and 18 officers. Shortly after being placed in position we were ordered forward, when the enemy opened a heavy fire upon us. At the first discharge I regret to say that Capt. William H. Acker, commanding Company C, was killed by a ball through the head. From this time we continued to move steadily forward, at no time falling back, except once, to refill the cartridge boxes, and then only after our position had been occupied by reserves coming to relieve us.About the middle of the day First Lieut. Edward L. Mitchell, of Company F, was instantly killed by a ball through the brain while delivering an order from me to Captain Crofton. Toward the close of the battle Capt. P. T. Keyes, commanding Company D, while gallantly encouraging his men, was struck by a rifle-ball just below the shoulder, breaking the arm and causing a very severe wound. Shortly after Captain Keyes was wounded we were ordered to charge, and moving forward we passed a battery of two guns, which were recognized by some of the officers of my command as being a Tennessee battery.Both officers and men behaved most gallantly during the whole of the fight, and where all are meritorious I cannot name those who particularly distinguished themselves.fAll of which is respectfully submitted.EDWIN F. TOWNSEND,Captain, Sixteenth Infantry, Commanding First Battalion.

 

[Luke Freet]

Was there a reason he was not promoted to brigadier? I've read he was considered quite highly by Meade & Hancock, especially when he was killed at Second Petersburg. It seems he did a good job leading what was left of the brigade at Gettysburg, but when 1864 comes around, he's reduced back to regiment command in place of Colonels Smyth & Byrnes.

 

[SeanMichaelChick]

Was there a reason he was not promoted to brigadier? I've read he was considered quite highly by Meade & Hancock, especially when he was killed at Second Petersburg. It seems he did a good job leading what was left of the brigade at Gettysburg, but when 1864 comes around, he's reduced back to regiment command in place of Colonels Smyth & Byrnes.

It's hard to say, as there is relatively little information on him. My first guess is politics; Irish support was needed, and Kelly was not a politician. I have found non-professional officers lacking political connections rarely made general, let alone colonel.

 

[SeanMichaelChick]

I just remembered I read somewhere that the plan was to keep Kelly in command after Cold Harbor and make him a general. Then he died on June 16.

 

[CharlesBrightly1864]

Gettysburg July 2nd, with Father Corby By John Paul Strain

 

[CharlesBrightly1864]

 

[Cavalier]

@CharlesBrightly1864 Haven't seen that one before. Thanks for posting that.

John

 

[SeanMichaelChick]

That is a good one. Strain is generally underrated.