Background
Alexander Kelly was born in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania on April 7, 1840.
Alexander Kelly was born in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania on April 7, 1840.
He enlisted as a substitute in August 1863 and by September 29, 1864, was serving as a First Sergeant in Company F of the 6th United States. Colored Infantry Regiment. He was mustered out in September 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 died at age 67 and was buried in Saint Peters Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The painting is scheduled to be unveiled June 24, 2013 at the Union League of Philadelphia.
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. Kelly"s courage at New Market Heights is depicted in a painting, Three Medals of Honor by artist Don Troiani. Also portrayed in the painting are two fellow Medal of Honor recipients from the battle, Nathan H. Edgerton and Thomas R. Hawkins. First Sergeant Kelly"s official reads:.
