American Historical Ephemera and Photography

CDV on cardstock mount (toning and small tear/loss to lower edge of print; heavy staining and wear to mount edges/corners). Uncredited. Kelly is featured in this vignetted portrait sporting a thick beard and mustache.

Irish-born Patrick Kelly (1822-1864) enlisted as a captain on 20 April 1861, being commissioned into Company E of the 69th New York Infantry Regiment the same day. He served in that capacity during the First Battle of Bull Run, before being promoted to lieutenant colonel and commissioned into the 88th New York. He fought in the Irish Brigade's major battles and commanded his regiment at Antietam before being promoted to colonel, in which capacity he led his regiment at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December of 1862. Between the end of 1862 and the Battle of Chancellorsville in May of 1863, Kelly was placed in command of the Irish Brigade, which he led on attack in the Wheatfield at the Battle of Gettysburg. The brigade lost heavily. The Siege of Petersburg would prove to be Kelly's last engagement, as he led the brigade toward Confederate earthworks and was shot through the head on 16 June 1864. He was buried in First Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York.