A Hero In Two Nations

News Of The Restoration Of The Gravestone Of Thomas J. Kelly

By Martin Kelly

Patriot Graves are the hallowed resting places of heroes, and as such due all respect. The proper keeping of such graves is an obligation of the living, not only an obligation to the occupants of such graves, but also to our posterity, who can better remember and learn from the example of our heroes, and of those who keep their memory green.

Your participation in an important project is invited. The marble headstone on the grave of Colonel Thomas J. Kelly of the Fenian Brotherhood is melting under the impact of a century of acid rain; today it is barely readable.

In contrast, polished granite stones of greater age look nearly new. This was brought to my attention by Martin Galvin and Kevin Kennedy (of Galway) on Easter Sunday, 2007, at the Friends of Irish Freedom/Sean Oglaigh na hÉireann 1916 Commemoration.

Liam Murphy, who had earlier that morning participated in a Cumann na Saoirse commemoration at the grave of Joe Stynes of Clan na Gael, returned to Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, and, with the help of Woodlawn staff, verified the need for action lest the only remaining locator of the grave of Thomas Kelly would be in a cemetery computer data base.

Charlie Laverty, President of the New York Irish History Roundtable, is researching to get the details of the military careers of Thomas J. Kelly (6th January 1833 - 5th February 1908), in order that he might be properly remembered on both sides of the Atlantic, and wherever green is worn.

Thomas J. Kelly has the distinction of being a hero of two countries.

A native of Mount Bellew, County Galway, and, like Ken Tierney, educated in Saint Jarlath's College, Tuam, he emigrated to America consequent to An Gorta Mór - the Great Hunger.

Like many another of Ireland's exiled children in America, Thomas Kelly was a believer in the gospel of Tone, dedicated to break the connection with England (the "evil empire" to most 19th century Americans).

A printer by trade, he participated both in the Emmet Monument Association and in the New York State Militia (1851-57); he was also a co-founder of the Fenian Brotherhood, before moving to Tennessee to start/edit the Nashville Democrat.

It is said that the flag on his newspaper office was the last "Stars and Stripes" in Nashville to come down after the secession of Tennessee.

It is our intention to replace the stone on this single grave with a granite stone appropriate to an American soldier, and to add an inscription befitting a true hero of the Irish nation.

We will, additionally, produce a brief monograph on the significance of himself, and of his contributions; this will include a write-up for the directory to be published by Woodlawn in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the opening of the cemetery, as well as material for distribution.

Like many other Fenians, Thomas Kelly answered Lincoln's call for volunteers to fight to preserve the United States.

A personal friend and political associate of Michael Corcoran, Thomas Kelly was preparing to return to New York to the 69th NYSM, when he was introduced to a new Irish regiment, the 10th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and threw in his lot with them.

Although receiving what should have been a "million dollar wound" as First Sergeant of Company "C" in the Battle of Carnifex Ferry in Western Virginia, 10th September 1861, he volunteered to return to his regiment.

He was later secunded, to become Chief Signal Officer, XIV Corps, United States Army of the Cumberland, until returning to the "Bloody Tinth" in 1863, as Captain, Company "I", from which he was later mustered out with the rest of the 10th Ohio.

His military service continued in the Fenian Brotherhood, the Irish Republican Army.

[The American Fenian uniform buttons bore the letters "IRA".]

With the end of the American Civil War in 1865, the Fenian Brotherhood in America sent its most trusted military officer, Captain Thomas Kelly, home to Ireland to assess the prospects for a Rising, and to advise on military matters.

The Fenian Chief, James Stephens, was captured in Dublin; Kelly, with John Devoy and others, rescued Stephens from Richmond Gaol - much to the consternation of Dublin Castle.

In May 1866 Stephens, then in New York, appointed Thomas Kelly as his deputy. After the visionary organizer Stephens stepped down, now Colonel Kelly, the pragmatic military man, became Chief Organizer of the Irish Republic (Virtually Established) and leader of the Fenian Brotherhood/Irish Revolutionary/Republican Brotherhood (IRB).

Kelly promptly sailed for England and Ireland in January 1867, to assess the situation, organize, and plan for a Rising.

In September Colonel Kelly and Captain Timothy Deasy were arrested in Manchester.

On 18th September 1867, they were rescued from a prison van by a group of bold Fenian men in what has become know to history as "the smashing of the van."

During the rescue a policeman was accidentally shot and killed. Kelly and Deasy escaped to America.

There were nearly eighty arrests, and twenty-seven charged. Five Irishmen, none of whom had fired the shot, were condemned to death in a hasty show trial.

One turned out to be an uninvolved Royal Marine named Maguire, who was then released. Another, Captain Edward O'Meagher Condon (US citizen and veteran of Corcoran's Irish Legion), at the request of the American Consul, had his sentence commuted to life at hard labor - Condon would be released eleven years later at the request of US President Hayes - who acted on a unanimous resolution of Congress.

He now lies in Calvary Cemetery. At the trial in Manchester, Condon was asked if he had anything to say, he replied, "I have nothing to retract - nothing to take back. I can only say 'God Save Ireland.'"

"God Save Ireland!" repeated the three men beside him.

Those three men, William Philip Allen, Michael Larkin and Captain Michael O'Brien (also an American citizen) were hanged on the cold damp, foggy morning of 23rd November 1867 - the Manchester Martyrs.

T.D. Sullivan would be inspired to write "God Save Ireland", which became a virtual national anthem for Ireland until superseded by "Amhrán na bFian" during Easter Week 1916.

On 22nd November 1992, Derek Warfield of The Wolfe Tones was the speaker at a ceremony, led by Deasy family member Bob Bateman, when a new, granite stone was dedicated on the grave of Captain Timothy Deasy in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence, Massachusetts.

The grave of Colonel Thomas Kelly in Woodlawn will be similarly provided with an appropriate, permanent, granite headstone, which will be dedicated at 1pm on Saturday, 31st May 2008. [Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, 26th May in 2008.]

We have been joined by a number of others, including members of the Irish Brigade Association, of the Sons of Union Veterans of The Civil War, of the National Graves Association, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of the Fenian Graves Association, of Irish County associations including Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Cavan, Fermanagh and Antrim, of Cumann na Saoirse Náisiunta, of the New York Irish History Roundtable, of the Friends of Irish Freedom, and of the Veteran Corps of the 69th Regiment.

Your attendance is invited. 2008 is the year to commemorate the founding of the Fenian Brotherhood/IRB, as well as to remember Fenian leader Thomas Kelly on the centenary of his death.

Your contribution to this effort will be most welcome. Enquiries may also be directed to Liam Murphy (914) 760-4525, or to one of the others named above.

Go saoradh Dia Éire!