Today in Wheeling History: July 16--Benjamin Franklin Kelley, a prominent Union general during the American Civil War and a key figure in the early development of West Virginia, particularly in Wheeling where he had lived and worked for decades, passed away in Oakland, Maryland at the age of 84, concluding a life marked by military service, civic duty, and significant contributions to the history of the region (1891).
Benjamin Franklin Kelley, born in New Hampton, New Hampshire on April 10, 1807, played a significant role in both the development of Wheeling, West Virginia, and as a Union general during the American Civil War. At age 19, Kelley moved to Wheeling, then part of Virginia, where he worked as a merchant for over two decades, contributing to the city's economic growth during a period of rapid expansion. In 1851, recognizing the growing importance of rail transportation, Kelley became a freight agent for the newly arrived Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Wheeling, a position that would later prove crucial to his military career.
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Kelley's connections in Wheeling and his position with the railroad made him an ideal candidate to organize local Union forces. He formed the 1st (West) Virginia Infantry, becoming its colonel on May 22, 1861. Just days later, on June 3, Kelley led his troops in the Battle of Philippi, one of the earliest land engagements of the war. Though severely wounded, his actions earned him a promotion to brigadier general. Throughout the war, Kelley's primary responsibility was protecting the strategically crucial B&O Railroad line in Maryland and what became West Virginia, frequently clashing with Confederate raiders.
Kelley participated in several notable campaigns, including a successful expedition against Confederate troops at Romney in October 1861, a movement against rebel forces at Blue's Gap in January 1862, and the pursuit of Lee's army after Gettysburg in 1863. In a dramatic turn of events, on February 21, 1865, Kelley was captured when Confederate rangers infiltrated his headquarters in Cumberland, Maryland, partly in revenge for his earlier arrest of a Confederate captain's family. Though briefly imprisoned in Richmond, he was soon exchanged.
After the war, Kelley held various government appointments, including internal revenue collector for West Virginia, superintendent of the Hot Springs reservation in Arkansas, and examiner of pensions in Washington D.C. Throughout his life, Kelley was known for his strong patriotism, military acumen, and devotion to the Union cause. He died on July 16, 1891, in Oakland, Maryland, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His life and career remain a testament to the complex history of West Virginia during the Civil War and the early development of the state, particularly his adopted city of Wheeling.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/VxXby) (https://shorturl.at/m2qnn) (https://shorturl.at/aQqM9) (https://shorturl.at/YWcp3)
Photo credits: Library of Congress, Find a Grave
Benjamin Franklin Kelley, born in New Hampton, New Hampshire on April 10, 1807, played a significant role in both the development of Wheeling, West Virginia, and as a Union general during the American Civil War. At age 19, Kelley moved to Wheeling, then part of Virginia, where he worked as a merchant for over two decades, contributing to the city's economic growth during a period of rapid expansion. In 1851, recognizing the growing importance of rail transportation, Kelley became a freight agent for the newly arrived Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Wheeling, a position that would later prove crucial to his military career.
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, Kelley's connections in Wheeling and his position with the railroad made him an ideal candidate to organize local Union forces. He formed the 1st (West) Virginia Infantry, becoming its colonel on May 22, 1861. Just days later, on June 3, Kelley led his troops in the Battle of Philippi, one of the earliest land engagements of the war. Though severely wounded, his actions earned him a promotion to brigadier general. Throughout the war, Kelley's primary responsibility was protecting the strategically crucial B&O Railroad line in Maryland and what became West Virginia, frequently clashing with Confederate raiders.
Kelley participated in several notable campaigns, including a successful expedition against Confederate troops at Romney in October 1861, a movement against rebel forces at Blue's Gap in January 1862, and the pursuit of Lee's army after Gettysburg in 1863. In a dramatic turn of events, on February 21, 1865, Kelley was captured when Confederate rangers infiltrated his headquarters in Cumberland, Maryland, partly in revenge for his earlier arrest of a Confederate captain's family. Though briefly imprisoned in Richmond, he was soon exchanged.
After the war, Kelley held various government appointments, including internal revenue collector for West Virginia, superintendent of the Hot Springs reservation in Arkansas, and examiner of pensions in Washington D.C. Throughout his life, Kelley was known for his strong patriotism, military acumen, and devotion to the Union cause. He died on July 16, 1891, in Oakland, Maryland, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His life and career remain a testament to the complex history of West Virginia during the Civil War and the early development of the state, particularly his adopted city of Wheeling.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/VxXby) (https://shorturl.at/m2qnn) (https://shorturl.at/aQqM9) (https://shorturl.at/YWcp3)
Photo credits: Library of Congress, Find a Grave
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