Col. Kell[e]y Promoted to a Brigadier General.
June 26, 1861
With great pleasure we announce the promotion of this gallant officer to the command of a Virginia brigade. His promotion was recommnded yesterday in a telegram from Gen. McClellan, and the recommendation was immediately acted upon by our Executive authorities, so that now Col. Kell[e]y stands only second in command on the Virginia field to Gen. McClellan.
This promotion, besides being well deserved and well bestowed, will have the inestimable moral effect of showing that the just deserts of no good officer in this struggle for the maintainance of the Union will escape unnoticed. Every man, thus far who has successfully distinguished himself by promptness, talent and gallantry has been immediately recgnized. Col. Kell[e]y went into this war because his heart was in it; because he loved the Union and all its priceless blessings, and he was untiring to do his part towards the successful issue of the war. And although disabled early he had so far made his mark as to impress his merits upon his superior officers. Hence his promation [sic] now.
In this connection we are permitted to give the opinion of one of his physicians that he will soon be in the field again.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: June 1861