Luther Kelly
From birchyHistory
(→Alaska expedition, 1898) |
(→Philippine-American War) |
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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]]. | ||
==Philippine-American War== | ==Philippine-American War== | ||
| − | In August 1899 Kelly received another commission as a captain, this time with the Army's 40th Volunteers, following Congress's authorization of an increase in the Army by 35,000 men to put down the insurgency in the Philippines. | + | In August 1899 Kelly received another commission as a captain, this time with the Army's 40th Volunteers, following Congress's authorization of an increase in the Army by 35,000 men to put down the insurgency in the Philippines. This war, unlike the six-month war with Spain with 500 combat deaths, "would drag on for three long years" and cost the lives of over 4,000 U.S. servicemen. |
| − | The 40th Regiment departed from [[Fort Riley]], [[Kansas]], by train in November 1899 for [[California]]. After two weeks there, they shipped out from the [[Presidio]], arriving in the [[Philippines]] in late December 1899. | + | The 40th Regiment departed from [[Fort Riley]], [[Kansas]], by train in November 1899 for [[California]]. After two weeks there, they shipped out from the [[Presidio]], arriving in the [[Philippines]] in late December 1899. Kelly's company was under the command of [[Brigadier General]] [[James Bell (Medal of Honor)|James Bell]], who had served with Kelly during the [[Nez Perce War|Nez Perce campaigns]] of the [[Indian Wars]]. Captain Kelly's company aboard the vessel ''Venus'' departed [[Manila]] along with four other transports headed for the shores of [[San Miguel Bay]]. From there the companies began their marches inland to clear the areas of insurgents. |
| − | Kelly's company met heavy resistance on the outskirts of the town of LaLud. Insurgents under the command of a Colonel Legaspi | + | Kelly's company met heavy resistance on the outskirts of the town of LaLud. Insurgents under the command of a Colonel Legaspi opened fire on Kelly's advancing infantrymen with two [[field guns]], but Kelly's men managed to kill the enemy artillerymen and silence the guns. With heavy foliage flanking the enemy's position, Kelly led a frontal assault and routed them. In the process, Kelly captured Legaspi's ceremonial Spanish sword. |
| − | Kelly later served in the administration of the new civilian governor of the Philippines, future President [[William Howard Taft]]. By 1903, as Kelly wrote to a friend, "I have been in the Philippines so long now (3 years)... this country is a wearing one... my health is excellent, but three years is the limit." | + | Kelly later served in the administration of the new civilian governor of the Philippines, future President [[William Howard Taft]]. By 1903, as Kelly wrote to a friend, "I have been in the Philippines so long now (3 years)... this country is a wearing one... my health is excellent, but three years is the limit." On November 15, 1903, Kelly was relieved of his duties in the Philippines and ordered to report back to [[Washington, D.C.]], for his next assignment, as [[Indian Agent]] for the [[San Carlos Indian Reservation]] in [[Arizona]]. |
Kelly died in 1929. He was buried with the sword he captured from Legaspi at LaLud. | Kelly died in 1929. He was buried with the sword he captured from Legaspi at LaLud. | ||
