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Alexander Kelly
[[Image:First Sergeant Alexander Kelly|center|200px|border]]First Sergeant Alexander Kelly
Personal Information
Born: April 7, 1840(1840-04-07)
Place of Birth: {{{place of birth}}}
Died: June 19, 1907 (aged 67)
Place of Death: {{{place of death}}}
Nickname:
Birth Name: {{{birth name}}}
Other Information
Allegiance: United States of America
Union
Participation(s): {{{participations}}}
Branch: United States Army
Union Army
Service Years: {{{service years}}}
Rank: First Sergeant
Service number : {{{servicenumber}}}
Unit: 6th United States Colored Infantry Regiment
Commands:
Battles: American Civil War
*Battle of Chaffin's Farm
Awards: Medal of Honor
Relations: {{{relations}}}
Other work: {{{otherwork}}}


Alexander Kelly (April 7, 1840 – June 19, 1907) was a Union Army soldier during the American Civil War and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm.

Biography[]

Alexander Kelly was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania in 1837. He enlisted as a substitute and by September 29, 1864, was serving as a First Sergeant in Company F of the 6th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment. On that day, his unit participated in the Battle of Chaffin's Farm in Virginia, and it was for his actions during the battle that he was awarded the Medal of Honor six months later, on April 6, 1865.

Before the war, he worked as a coal miner in Western Pennsylvania. He went to Homestead, Pennsylvania after the war and for a time, served as the night watchman at the Pittsburgh Police stables.

Alexander Kelly married but never had children He took in orphans off the streets. He died at age 67 and was buried in Saint Peters Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation[]

First Sergeant Kelly's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

Gallantly seized the colors, which had fallen near the enemy's lines of abatis, raised them and rallied the men at a time of confusion and in a place of the greatest danger.

See also[]

  • List of Medal of Honor recipients
  • List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: G–L
  • List of African American Medal of Honor recipients

References[]

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