Kelley, Joseph M., 1844-1911.

Major Joseph M. Kelley (1844-1911) spent most of his military career as captain of the 10th Colored Cavalry, known as the "Buffalo Soldiers" during the Indian Wars in the Southwest against the Apaches, Comanches, Southern Cheyennes, Arrapahoes and Kiowas.

Major Joseph M. Kelley, 1844-1911, spent most of his military career as captain of the 10th Colored Cavalry, known as the “Buffalo Soldiers” during the Indian Wars in the Southwest against the Apaches, Comanches, Southern Cheyannes, Arrapahoes and Kiowas.

In 1869 he was assigned to Fort Skokomish, Washington Territory. Shortly thereafter he was named Indian Agent for Washington Territory, working with the Skallam and other coastal tribes until March 16, 1871, at which time he joined the 10th Calvary. He functioned with that regiment for the next 27 years.

After commanding his troops at Fort Grant, Arizona he was transferred as major of the 10th to Fort Custer, Montana in 1893. That same year he served at Fort Assiniboine, Montana. In 1893 he became Indian Agent at Forth Belknap Agency near Harlem, Montana, serving in that position for several years. In 1898 when most of the 10th Cavalry was sent to Cuba, he was named commandant at Fort Assiniboine. Shortly after that he retired but served again in the Cuban Pacification, doing court martial work.