Sons of Leitrim
Kelly
John
Soldier Profile: John Kelly
Co. G, 155th New York Volunteer Infantry
John was a man of the "Corcoran Legion." Standing five feet seven inches tall with grey eyes and light hair, he was part of a brigade raised by the famous Fenian Michael Corcoran—a unit designed to show that the Irish were the most loyal and fierce defenders of their adopted Republic.
Early Life and Marriage
Born: Circa 1839 in Banagher, County Leitrim.
Parents: Michael Kelly and Catherine Collins.
A Buffalo Wedding: On January 11, 1859, John married Catherine (Maria) Buckley at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Buffalo, New York. The wedding was witnessed by John Corrigan, a fellow member of the city’s tightly-knit Irish community.
Military Service: The Corcoran Legion
John enlisted in Buffalo on August 27, 1862. He was mustered into the 155th New York Infantry, a regiment composed almost entirely of Irishmen.
The Siege of Suffolk: John’s first taste of real war came in the spring of 1863, defending the Union lines in Southeast Virginia.
Grant’s Overland Campaign: By 1864, the 155th was thrust into the meat-grinder of the war’s final year. John marched through the horrors of Spotsylvania and the blood-soaked trenches of Cold Harbor.
The High Casualty Rate: John's unit was part of a brigade where the price of glory was high. Records for his company show a staggering casualty rate of over 50%—a testament to the "Legion's" reputation for never backing down.
The Second Battle of Petersburg
In June 1864, the Union army made a desperate attempt to capture the rail hub of Petersburg and end the war.
The Injury: On June 16, 1864, during the opening assaults on the Petersburg defenses, John was struck in the back by Confederate fire.
Lincoln Hospital: He was evacuated to Lincoln Hospital in Washington, D.C., arriving on June 30.
Final Sacrifice on Independence Day
While the city of Washington celebrated the nation’s birth, John Kelly was fighting his final battle. He died on July 4, 1864, at the age of 25. He died on the very day that represented the democracy he had crossed an ocean to defend.
Legacy
Pension: His widow, Maria, living at 13 Church Street in Buffalo, applied for her pension shortly after his death.
The Leitrim Connection: John’s origins were preserved in the memories of his community, eventually being memorialized in the Leitrim Observer a century and a half later, confirming him as one of Banagher’s brave emigrant sons.
Service Timeline
DateEventLocation Detail
Aug 27, 1862Enlisted for 3 YearsBuffalo, NY
Nov 19, 1862Mustered into 155th NYFormation of the "Legion"
May 1864Battle of SpotsylvaniaVirginia
June 16, 1864Wounded in ActionSecond Petersburg
July 4, 1864DeceasedLincoln Hospital, D.C.
