Private Kelsey

[RebYell64]

Listed on the Library of Congress as Private C. Kelsey, Company C, 152nd New York.

But I see Corporal stripes....

That beard is legendary.

 

[GELongstreet]

You´re not the only one who can see those stripes. However a promotion to Corporal isn´t shown in the muster rolls.

KELSEY , CHAUNCEY.—Age , 44 years. Enlisted, August 29, 1862, at Morris, to serve three years; mustered in as private, Co. C. October 14, 1862; killed in action, October 28, 1864, at Boydton Plank Road, Va.

Lieutenant Charles H. Dygert, who commanded the regiment (!) mentions Private Chauncey Kelsey and his death (musket ball) in this report.

 

[Discipulus]

Not that it helps, but my gg-uncle mustered in as a sergeant and out as a captain. However I see him on official rolls after the war as anything and everything in between -- Sgt., 2nd. Lt., 1st. Lt., Capt.

 

[BlueGrayBlood]

Listed on the Library of Congress as Private C. Kelsey, Company C, 152nd New York.

But I see Corporal stripes....

View attachment 97602

That beard is legendary.

IMHO, the photographer (for such an elegant studio setting) or a friend probably loaned him the jacket for the picture. They all just figured he eventually would be promoted to corporal.

I believe that GELonstreet's post would most likely confirm he was not a corporal when the picture was taken.

Is there a private's jacket underneath ?

 

[rpkennedy]

He may have borrowed the jacket or possibly scavenged that coat from someplace to replace a worn out private's coat.

R

 

[Gandycreek]

Could that be one "lined" chevron ?

 

[AndyHall]

Chauncey Kelsey appears in the U.S. Census of 1850 with a wife, Jane, and three children -- Sarah (11), James (7), and Martha (6). Five years later, in the New York state census (above), his wife is listed as Ann J. [Jane?] Kelsey, and the three children are still there.

In 1865, Ann received a widow's pension.

 

[rpkennedy]

Do we know his son James' middle name? There was another soldier in the 152nd named James T. Kelley who enlisted from the same town in January 1863.

R

 

[AndyHall]

Do we know his son James' middle name? There was another soldier in the 152nd named James T. Kelley who enlisted from the same town in January 1863.

Good catch -- it's Chauncy's son:

Not clear whether he survived the war or not.

 

[rpkennedy]

Good catch -- it's Chauncy's son:

View attachment 97959

Not clear whether he survived the war or not.

According to New York's roster, he was ill and away from his company when it mustered out.

R

 

[AndyHall]

They were in the same company; James may have witnessed his father's death.

 

[rpkennedy]

That is certainly possible.

R

 

[RebYell64]

Wow, that's really neat about Mr. Kelsey....putting the face to the history of it. Awesome, y'all are great