John Herbert Kelly (March 31, 1840 – September 4, 1864) was, at the time of his promotion, the youngest brigadier general in the Confederate States Army.

[5] Kelly commanded a large brigade of men at Chickamauga consisting of the 5th Kentucky, 58th North Carolina, 63rd Virginia, and the 65th Georgia Infantry Regiments.

[6] Because of his bravery at the Battle of Chickamauga generals Cleburne, Liddell, and Preston asked for a promotion for Kelly.

[4] General Cleburne told Confederate Secretary of War James Seddon of Kelly, "I know no better officer of his grade in the service.

[7] Kelly's brigade was one of the key factors at the Battle of Pickett's Mill that lead to the Confederate victory.

[6] In August and September 1864 Kelly's Brigade fought at Franklin, Tennessee, during Wheeler's raid on Sherman's railroad supply line.

While leading a charge at a skirmish near Franklin on September 2, Kelly was shot in the chest by a Union sharpshooter.