Alexander Kelly

History is often changed by those who refuse to surrender in the face of overwhelming odds. During one of the fiercest assaults of the American Civil War, First Sergeant Alexander Kelly demonstrated extraordinary courage by seizing his regiment's fallen colors under devastating enemy fire and leading his fellow soldiers forward. His fearless actions at Chaffin's Farm earned him the Medal of Honor and secured his place among the most distinguished soldiers of the United States Colored Troops.

Alexander Kelly was born on 7 April 1840 in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. Before the Civil War, he worked as a laborer, but when the opportunity arose to fight for the Union and the abolition of slavery, he enlisted in the 6th United States Colored Infantry. Serving as First Sergeant of Company F, Kelly became part of the United States Colored Troops, whose soldiers repeatedly proved their courage and determination despite facing discrimination, unequal treatment, and the constant threat of harsher punishment if captured by Confederate forces.

Kelly's defining moment came during the Battle of Chaffin's Farm (Fort Harrison), Virginia, on 29 September 1864. As Union forces launched an assault against heavily fortified Confederate defenses, the regimental color bearer was shot down, and the colors fell near the enemy works. Fully aware that the regimental flag served as the focal point for every attack and was a prime target for enemy fire, First Sergeant Kelly rushed forward through a hail of bullets, seized the fallen colors, and carried them onward, rallying his comrades during one of the battle's most critical moments. His conspicuous gallantry, leadership, and complete disregard for his own safety earned him the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration for valor.

Kelly's actions formed part of the wider heroism displayed by the United States Colored Troops at Chaffin's Farm, where several Black soldiers earned the Medal of Honor for extraordinary bravery. Their determined assault helped secure Fort Harrison, one of the Richmond defensive line's strongest positions, delivering a significant strategic victory for Union forces during the closing months of the war and further demonstrating the vital contribution of African American soldiers to the Union cause.

In recognition of his honorable wartime service, Kelly was also entitled to the Civil War Campaign Medal, established in 1907 to commemorate surviving Union Army veterans who had served during the American Civil War. Together with his Medal of Honor, the campaign medal reflects both his exceptional gallantry in combat and his faithful service throughout one of the nation's defining conflicts.

Following the war, Kelly returned to civilian life in Pennsylvania, where he remained respected as one of the many veterans whose courage had helped preserve the Union and advance the cause of freedom. He passed away on 19 June 1907 and was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, St. Clair, Pennsylvania.

Today, Alexander Kelly Medal of Honor is remembered as one of the outstanding heroes of the United States Colored Troops. His courageous actions at Chaffin's Farm stand as a powerful testament to leadership, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to duty. His Medal of Honor and Civil War Campaign Medal continue to symbolize a soldier whose bravery not only inspired those around him on the battlefield but also helped shape the legacy of African American service in the United States Army.