Luther Kelly

In the spring of 1865, with the Civil War winding down, Kelly secured permission from his mother to join the Army. He traveled to [[Rochester, New York]], where he attempted to join the Fourth New York Cavalry but was turned down due his young age (15).<ref>Keenan (2006), p. 14</ref> Later he joined the [[10th Infantry Regiment (United States)|10th Infantry]] by lying about his age. He was unaware that the 10th Infantry was not a volunteer corps and that he would be obliged to continue serving after the war.<ref name = "webster213"/>

Kelly was sent to [[City Point, Virginia]]. After [[Robert E. Lee]]'s [[surrender at Appomattox]] his regiment was sent to [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]] and then marched towards [[Washington, D.C.]], encamping south of the [[Potomac River]] until after the [[Grand Review of the Armies]]. Because Kelly's unit had not participated in the Grand Review, it was selected for a parade through Washington on June 8, during which Kelly served as part of the guard detail for the reviewing officer, "his first official duty of any real consequence".<ref>Keenan (2006), pp. 15 -16</ref>

Kelly's unit was stationed in Washington over the summer. In November they were moved by train to [[St. Paul, Minnesota]] to be stationed at [[Fort Snelling]] for the winter.<ref>Keenan (2006), p. 17</ref> In May, his company moved among [[Fort Abercrombie]], [[Fort Wadsworth]] and [[Fort Ransom]], all in the [[Dakota Territory]]. During his free time at these forts, Kelly hunted game to provide fresh meat for his fellow soldiers. In April 1868, Kelly's enlistment in the Army ended, and he was discharged at Fort Ransom.