Luther Kelly
From birchyHistory
(→Alaska expedition, 1898) |
(→Alaska expedition, 1898) |
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Although the United States had purchased Alaska from [[Russia]] in 1867, Americans were not interested in it until gold was discovered there in 1896. In 1898 the U.S. Army deployed three separate units under the commands of Captains Bogardus Eldridge, [[William R. Abercrombie]], and Edwin F. Glenn to map a route from the [[Yukon]], scout the [[Copper River (Alaska)|Copper River]] Valley, and conduct reconnaissance. They would begin near the [[Prince William Sound]] and work toward the interior. Kelly was assigned to Glenn's unit as an interpreter and guide. | Although the United States had purchased Alaska from [[Russia]] in 1867, Americans were not interested in it until gold was discovered there in 1896. In 1898 the U.S. Army deployed three separate units under the commands of Captains Bogardus Eldridge, [[William R. Abercrombie]], and Edwin F. Glenn to map a route from the [[Yukon]], scout the [[Copper River (Alaska)|Copper River]] Valley, and conduct reconnaissance. They would begin near the [[Prince William Sound]] and work toward the interior. Kelly was assigned to Glenn's unit as an interpreter and guide. | ||
| − | Departing [[Seattle]] by ship on | + | Departing [[Seattle]] by ship on [[7 Apr 1898]], they arrived along the Alaskan coastline approximately five days later. While unloading and preparing for the expedition, they received news of the outbreak of the [[Spanish-American War]] on April 23. Eldridge's unit was ordered to return to its [[regiment]], while Abercrombie and Glenn's parties were to continue their assigned missions. Although the other soldiers were eager to return to their regiments to join the war, they reasoned that it would be mostly a naval war with little role for the Army. Support for the expedition dwindled in light of the American public's enthusiasm for the war. In accordance with President [[William McKinley]]'s request for additional men for the war, Kelly was offered a commission as a captain in the [[U.S. Volunteers]]. Kelly departed Alaska on October 9, and Glenn's unit continued its mission until November 10. By the time Kelly arrived back in Seattle the war had ended, and with it his captaincy. |
The Army's expedition into Alaska was largely overshadowed by the war in the public eye and in contemporary historians' accounts. It made possible the completion in 1923 of the [[Alaska Railroad]], which followed the route mapped by the 1898 expedition. A year later came the maritime [[Harriman Alaska Expedition]]. | The Army's expedition into Alaska was largely overshadowed by the war in the public eye and in contemporary historians' accounts. It made possible the completion in 1923 of the [[Alaska Railroad]], which followed the route mapped by the 1898 expedition. A year later came the maritime [[Harriman Alaska Expedition]]. | ||
