1LT James M. Kelley
(1837-1864)

Old Kelley/Tucker Cemetery
Eldridge, Alabama

Hubbard's Company of Alabama Rangers, 1861

Company K, 1st Confederate Cavalry Regiment, 1861-1862

Company K, 4th Alabama Cavalry (Roddey's) Regiment, 1862-1864

Company B, 10th Alabama Cavalry (Pickett's) Regiment, 1864

      James M. Kelley was born at Traveller's Rest, Coosa County, Alabama, in 1837. He was the fourth child and third son, of John and Martha Ann Kelley. When James was 16, he and his family moved to the community of Eldridge, Walker County, Alabama, where his father set up and ran a mercantile business, tanning yard, legal distillery, and family run farm. Here, James spent his adolescent years growing up in the small community as the nation moved closer to war.
      When the War Between the States erupted in 1861, young James, along with brothers Esom, Philemon, John, and Benjamin, were invited to join an independent cavalry company that was being formed of men who could furnish their own mounts and tack. Of their own free will, the brothers enlisted in "Hubbard's Company of Alabama Rangers" in September of 1861, and after brief, but intense training, were sent into western and middle Tennessee where they helped Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman in the defense of Fort Henry. The company avoided capture as Fort Henry fell in early 1862, which enabled it to participate in many more skirmishes and battles throughout western Tennessee. Along about this time, the company left its independent roots and was made part of the 1st Confederate Cavalry Regiment, being  designated Company "K". Company K was detached early on though and participated in many engagements during this time and also took part in the Battle of Shiloh in April of 1862. The unit suffered many casualties leading up to and including Shiloh, which caused it to be detailed to go to North Alabama with other independent cavalry companies, to form a new regiment known as the 4th Alabama Cavalry (Roddey's) Regiment, under the command of Colonel Philip Dale Roddey. The company kept its alpha designation of "K", but was now under the command of Captain Esom D. Kelley, James' older brother. Company K served the remainder of the war detailed to North Alabama, but in early 1864 a new cavalry regiment was formed to conduct outpost duty in the Tennessee Valley. This new unit was the 10th Alabama Cavalry (Pickett's) Regiment which was being made up of new recruits from as far away as Kentucky and Missouri. Experienced leadership was needed as well, so James was transferred to this new unit in January of 1864 and given a commission as a First Lieutenant in Company B.
       Tragedy, however, did not take long to strike as on April 24, 1864, in a skirmish near Athens, Alabama, James was killed. Word of James' death was passed along to Esom whose company was operating nearby and he sought out Benjamin Kelley, a younger brother, to go to Athens, pick up the body and take it home to Eldridge for burial. After acquiring a wagon and supplies, Ben went to Athens and picked up the body and began the sad journey home. Travelling at night to avoid union patrols, Ben made good time until the wagon suddenly broke down and he was forced to unhitch the horses and put James' body over the pommel of James' own horse and lead him on home. Luckily Ben had the forethought to put their saddles in the wagon in case something like this happened. Ben continued home to Eldridge where the body was buried behind the family home which is now the Old Kelley/Tucker Cemetery.

"The Virtual CSA Purple Heart Award"
 
  
 
  
 
  
 

Issued to:

1LT James M. Kelley

Company B
10th Alabama Cavalry (Pickett's) Regiment, C.S.A.

who was killed in the service of the
Confederate States of America on April 24, 1864, at Athens, Alabama.

  How To receive this award, Get your own medal, or Confederate POW medal
visit the "Virtual CSA Purple Heart Award" Website.
 
 

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