JOHN REESE KENLY
Kenly, John R. brigadier-general, was born in Baltimore,
Md., in 1822, was educated in the public schools of Baltimore
and admitted to the bar there in 1845. He was a member of the
Eagle artillery of Baltimore in which he rose to the rank of
lieutenant, and at the beginning of the Mexican war raised a
company of volunteers of which he was chosen captain. He
participated with his company in the three days, battle which
resulted in the capture of Monterey, and so distinguished
himself on this occasion that on returning to Maryland, he was
given a vote of thanks by the state legislature. He then
resumed the practice of his profession, and, on June 11, 1861,
was commissioned by President Lincoln colonel of volunteers
and given command of the 1st Md. regiment. He was actively
engaged in the western part of Maryland and in the Virginia
valley, 1861-62, and on May 23, 1862, distinguished himself in
checking the Confederate advance at Front Royal, being then
severely wounded and taken captive. He was exchanged on Aug.
15, and on Aug. 22 was commissioned brigadier-general of
volunteers for his gallantry and assigned to command all the
troops in Baltimore outside the forts. He joined McClellan
after the battle of Antietam and rendered conspicuous service
at Hagerstown and Harper's Ferry, leading the Maryland brigade
at the recapture of Maryland heights. He subsequently held
various brigade positions in the 1st and 8th army corps, and
at the close of the war, March 13, 1865, he was awarded the
brevet of major-general of volunteers while the state
legislature of Maryland extended him a vote of thanks, and the
corporation of Baltimore presented him with a sword. After
the war Gen. Kenly devoted a considerable part of his time to
literature. He died in Baltimore, Md., Dec. 20, 1891.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 8
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