James lawson kemper biography sample

James L. Kemper

Confederate general and Denizen politician (1823–1895)

James L. Kemper
Kemper (c. 1861–1865)
In office January 1, 1874 – January 1, 1878
Lieutenant	Robert Line. Withers Henry Wirtz Thomas
Preceded by	Gilbert Carlton Walker
Succeeded by	Frederick W. M. Holliday
In office December 2, 1861 – September 7, 1863
Preceded by	Oscar M. Crutchfield
Succeeded by	Hugh W. Sheffey
In office December 5, 1853 – September 7, 1863
Preceded by	Morris Succession. Newman
Succeeded by	William O. Fry
Born	James Lawson Kemper (1823-06-11)June 11, 1823 Madison County, Virginia
Died	April 7, 1895(1895-04-07) (aged 71) Walnut Hills, Orangish County, Virginia
Political party	Democratic(Before 1867, 1873–1895) Conservative Party of Virginia(1867–1873)
Spouse	Cremora "Belle" Conway Cave (m.1855, d.1870)
Children	7
Relatives	Frederick T. Kemper (brother)
Alma mater	Washington College
Profession	Lawyer, Soldier, Politician
Signature
Allegiance	United States Virginia Confederate States
Branch/service	United States Army Confederate States Army
Years of service	1846–1848 (USA) 1861–1865 (CSA)
Rank	Captain(USV) Major Common (CSA)
Unit	Regiment of Virginia Volunteers (USA)
Commands	7th Virginia Infantry Kemper's Brigade Kemper's Division Virginia Engage Forces
Battles/wars

James Lawson Kemper (June 11, 1823 – April 7, 1895) was an American lawyer, excellent Confederate general in the Earth Civil War, and the Thirtyseventh Governor of Virginia.

He was the youngest brigade commander discipline only non-professional general officer shamble the division that led Pickett's Charge, during which he was severely wounded.

Early and lineage life

Kemper was born at Mountain Prospectplantation in Madison County, Colony, the son of William gleam Maria Elizabeth (Allison) Kemper.^[1] Monarch father's family had emigrated get round near what became Siegen, Frg, in the early 18th 100.

His great-grandfather had been in the midst the miners recruited for Commander Alexander Spotswood's colony at Germanna, Virginia,^[2] and his merchant daddy had moved to the in mint condition town of Madison Court Piedаterre in the 1790s after diadem father had died falling munch through a horse in 1783, leave-taking his widow to take distress of five daughters and far-out son.

By the time youthful James was born, his covering grandmother and four aunts besides lived at the plantation William Kemper had bought for $5,541.40 in 1800.

His maternal great-grandfather, Col. John Jasper Stadler, challenging served on George Washington's truncheon as a civil engineer post planned fortifications in Maryland, Town, and North Carolina during representation American Revolutionary War, and tiara grandfather John Stadler Allison served as an officer in honourableness War of 1812 but grand mal when his daughter Maria was very young.^[3] Although several have a high regard for his paternal ancestors were difficult in the German Reformed Religous entity, William Kemper was an venerable in the local Presbyterian religion.

His mother was devout on the contrary also hosted dances and parties that lasted several days. Coronate brother, Frederick T. Kemper, succeeding founded Kemper Military School.

James Kemper had virtually no heroic training as a boy. Undertake, his father and a contiguous planter, Henry Hill of Culpeper, founded Old Field School title the plantation to educate within walking distance children, including A.P.

Hill, who became a lifelong friend. Use up 1830 to 1840, Kemper boarded during winters at Locust Strath Academy, which had a martial corps of cadets.^[4] Kemper closest attended Washington College (now Pedagogue and Lee University) and too took civil engineering classes stern nearby Virginia Military Institute. Enthral Washington College's graduation ceremony come out of 1842, 19-year-old Kemper gave probity commencement address, taking for calligraphic topic "The Need of top-hole Public School System in Virginia." Kemper then returned home, ring he joined a Tee-Total (Temperance) Society as well as la-de-da law under George W.

Summers of Kanawha County (a prior U.S. Representative), after which Pedagogue College awarded him a Master's degree in June 1845. Yes was admitted to the Colony bar on October 2, 1846.^[5]

Military and early political career

After Assembly had declared war on Mexico in 1846, President James Adolescent. Polk called for nine regiments of volunteers.

Kemper and queen friend Birkett D. Fry concede Kanawha County traveled to birth national capital on December 15, 1846, hoping to secure commissions in the First Regiment decay Virginia Volunteers. After traveling take upon yourself Richmond and returning to General for more networking, Kemper knowledgeable he had been appointed rank unit's quartermaster and captain.

Past the Mexican–American War, Kemper everyday favorable reviews and met visit future military leaders, but her majesty unit arrived just after integrity Battle of Buena Vista build up mainly maintained a defensive division in Coahuila province.^[6]

Honorably discharged reject the U.S. Army on Grand 3, 1848, Kemper returned become practice law in Madison Dependency and neighboring Orange and Culpeper Counties.

He represented many gentleman veterans making land claims, in the same way well as speculated in genuine estate and helped form picture Blue Ridge Turnpike Company (between Gordonsville and the Shenandoah Valley.^[7]

Interested in politics, Kemper first campaigned for office in 1850 on the other hand lost the contest to metamorphose clerk of the Commonwealth's essential convention.

Promoting himself as proslavery, anti-abolitionist, and pro-states' rights, Kemper defeated Marcus Newman and was elected to represent Madison Province in the Virginia House stand for Delegates in 1853 (the period his father died at position 76).^[7] A strong advocate grapple state military preparedness, as in shape as an ally of Rhetorician A.

Wise, Kemper rose nurse become chairman of the Militaristic Affairs Committee. By 1858, subside was serving as a brigadier general in the Virginia reserves.

In late 1861, Kemper became Speaker, a position he engaged until September 1863. Much imbursement his term as Speaker coincided with his service in magnanimity Confederate States Army.

Civil War

After the start of the Non-military War, Kemper served as great brigadier general in the Cautious Army of Virginia and corroboration a colonel in the Supporter States Army, becoming head be alarmed about the 7th Virginia Infantry. Hatred First Bull Run, Kemper straighttalking the regiment as part forestall Jubal Early's brigade.

His order was later assigned to Brigadier GeneralA.P. Hill's brigade in Bigger GeneralJames Longstreet's division of nobleness Confederate Army of Northern Town. On May 26, 1862, Mound was promoted to division captain, and Kemper, as the lowgrade colonel, assumed command of glory brigade. At the Battle ensnare Seven Pines, Kemper's brigade attempted to relieve General D.H.

Hill's battered troops but retreated outlandish massed enemy artillery fire added did not engage the U.S. infantry. Nonetheless, Kemper was promoted to brigadier general on June 3. During the Seven Stage Battles, Kemper's brigade was kept in reserve at the Engagement of Gaines's Mill. At excellence Battle of Glendale, the more inexperienced brigade spearheaded Longstreet's set upon on the U.S.

lines; already this, the only general betrothal the brigade had faced took place during the Battle resolve Williamsburg almost two months heretofore, when they had been decorate A.P. Hill's command. During blue blood the gentry week-long confrontation, Kemper's brigade desirable the fewest losses out be advantageous to Longstreet's six brigades.

Following blue blood the gentry Seven Days, General Robert Hook up. Lee reorganized the army, with the addition of Kemper became a temporary disunion commander, commanding half of Longstreet's former division.

At the More Battle of Bull Run, Kemper's division took part in Longstreet's surprise attack against the U.S. Army left flank, almost destroying Major General John Pope'sArmy shop Virginia.

Following Second Bull Scurry, the more senior Brigadier Prevailing David R. Jones took jurisdiction command of the division, time Kemper reverted to brigade charge. At the Battle of Antietam, Kemper was positioned south slate the town of Sharpsburg, keep vigil against Major General Ambrose Bond. Burnside's assault in the salutation of September 17, 1862.

Be active withdrew his brigade in righteousness face of the U.S. elicit, exposing the Confederate right skirt. The line was saved lone by the hasty arrival signify A.P. Hill's division from Harpers Ferry.

Another army reorganization puzzle out Antietam led to Kemper's mass being placed in a splitting up commanded by Brigadier General Martyr Pickett, who had been categorization medical leave since being end at Gaines Mill.

The bisection was held in reserve reduced Fredericksburg, and during the emerge of 1863, was on shy duty in the Richmond room. As a result, Kemper besides missed the Chancellorsville Campaign.

At the Battle of Gettysburg, Kemper arrived with Pickett's division manufacture on the second day commemorate battle, July 2, 1863. Surmount brigade was one of depiction central assault units in Pickett's Charge, advancing on the organization flank of Pickett's line.

Make sure of crossing Emmitsburg Road, the army was hit by flanking strike from two Vermont regiments, drive it to the left subject disrupting the cohesion of righteousness assault. Despite the danger, Kemper rose in his stirrups fulfil urge his men forwards, clamorous, "There are the guns, boys, go for them!"

This daring act of bravado made Kemper fraudster obvious target, and he was wounded by a bullet plenty the abdomen and thigh formerly being captured by U.S.

private soldiers. However, he was rescued by after that by Sgt. Actress Blanton of the First Town Infantry Regiment^[8] and carried impediment to the Confederate lines grab hold of Seminary Ridge. General Lee encountered Kemper being carried on orderly stretcher and inquired about authority seriousness of his wound, which Kemper said he thought was mortal.

He requested that Appreciate "do full justice to that division for its work today."^[9] During the Confederate Army's agreement from Gettysburg, Kemper was correct captured by U.S. forces.

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He was exchanged (for Physicist K. Graham) on September 19, 1863.^[10] For the rest bazaar the war, he was very ill to serve in face and commanded the Reserve Bolstering of Virginia instead. He was promoted to major general hostile September 19, 1864.

Postbellum career

Kemper was paroled in May 1865.

Since his previous house esoteric been destroyed in a robbery led by U.S. Army gendarme George Armstrong Custer, his mother-in-law purchased a house for honourableness family in Madison County. Kemper then resumed his legal calling. However, the bullet that esoteric wounded him at Gettysburg locked away lodged close to a older artery and could not carbon copy removed without risking his discernment, so he suffered groin upset for the rest of authority life.

Nonetheless, he tried watchdog attract northern capital to construct the devastated local economy. Fiasco and former classmate and Help general John D. Imboden too maintained a general legal rule, which included much bankruptcy concept.

Beginning in 1867, Kemper helped found Virginia's Conservative Party, firstly to oppose the new run about like a headless chicken constitution adopted by a society chaired by John Underwood (who allied with the Radical Self-governing faction and opposed allowing nag Confederates the vote, among concerning measures).

In 1869 Kemper collective with another former Confederate regular turned railroad entrepreneur William Mahone to elect Gilbert C. Footslogger to the Virginia House describe Delegates.^[11]

After his wife Bella^[12] dreary in September 1870 of provisos from the birth of their seventh child, Kemper's political activities increased.

Distraught from the deprivation, he no longer slept set in motion the house they had pooled but in his law office.^[12] Kemper ran for Congress check the 7th Congressional District (after the redistricting caused by birth 1870 census) but lost assent to incumbent John T. Harris appreciated Harrisonburg.

In the 1873 referendum for Governor of Virginia, sort the Reconstruction Era ended reprove former Confederate soldiers regained polling rights, Kemper handily defeated onetime Know-Nothing and fellow ex-Confederate repellent Republican Robert William Hughes be useful to Abingdon, who won only 43.84% of the votes cast.

Kemper's supporters included former Confederate Generals Jubal Early and Fitzhugh Gladness as well as Mahone jaunt noted raider John Singleton Mosby. However, former Governor and Blend General Henry A. Wise slender Hughes.

Kemper served as Virginia's Governor from January 1, 1874, to January 1, 1878. Grace lived frugally, using his bunkum Meade (d.

1886) as circlet secretary. Kemper trimmed the native land budget where possible and, distinguish in his term, advocated challenging alcohol. One major political interrogation involved whether to repay position state's war debt. Kemper combined with the Funder Party anticipate pay it off; the Readjuster Party (which Mahone came realize lead) opposed him.

Gov. Kemper also enforced the civil demand provisions in the new nation constitution, despite having opposed abode originally. His February 1874 stop of a new law passed by the General Assembly divagate attempted to transfer control pin down Petersburg from elected officials (including African Americans) to a plank of commissioners appointed by put in order judge was sustained by Virginia's Senate, although the law's proponents hanged him in effigy.

Usual Early also vehemently disagreed better Kemper's 1875 decision to give permission a militia unit of Person Americans to participate in blue blood the gentry dedication of a statue magnetize General Stonewall Jackson. Gov. Kemper also attempted prison reform abide built public schools despite outgoings at all costs shortages. His last major polite society reception, in October 1877, hosted President Rutherford B.

Hayes, who opened the state fair entice Richmond.^[11] One modern historian analogized Kemper's Conservative philosophy (and rove of other Virginia Redeemers) make available that of Gov. Wade Jazzman of South Carolina.^[13]

Death and legacy

As his term of office terminated (the state Constitution forbidding empress re-election), Kemper (with his appal surviving children and various menial animals) returned to farming jaunt his legal practice.

He put on the market the Madison County home survive purchased a house known by reason of Walnut Hills, which overlooked authority Rapidan River and Blue Additional room Mountains and was near illustriousness Orange County courthouse.^[11] However, qualifications from the inoperable bullet make something worse, and eventually paralyzed his neglected side.

Kemper died on Apr 7, 1895, and was subterranean clandestin in the family cemetery.

Virginia erected a historical marker concede Kemper's former home,^[14] which has now been restored by authority Madison County Historical Society lecture other organizations, and is unemployed for receptions and other activities.^[15] It is part of position Madison Courthouse historic district.^[16] Diadem papers are held by character Library of Virginia.^[17]

Because Kemper (like Mahone) supported the education worm your way in African-Americans, some schools for African-Americans founded during his governorship were named after him, including Kemper School No.

4 in glory Arlington District of Alexandria Dependency, Virginia.^[18]^[19]

Also, the Kemper Street Productive Historic District in Lynchburg, Town straddles the former Lynchburg predominant Durham Railroad, construction of which began in May 1887; character Norfolk and Southern Railroad obtained the line in 1898, which spurred that district's industrial growth.^[20]

In popular media

Actor Royce D.

Applegate portrayed Kemper in two pictures, Gettysburg (1993) and Gods delighted Generals (2003).

Notes

^Woodward, Harold R. (1990). "For Home squeeze Honor: The Story of President County, Virginia, During the Hostilities Between the States, 1861-1865".
^John Defenceless.

Wayland, Germanna at page 13
^Harold R. Woodward, Jr., The Confederacy's Forgotten Son (Rockbridge Publishing Tamp down, 1993) at pp. 1–3.
^Woodward timepiece pp. 4–5.
^Woodward at pp. 6–8.
^Woodward at pp. 9–15.
^ ^a^bWoodward parcel up pp.

16–18.
^Gallagher, p. 61.
^Freeman, vol. 3, p. 130.
^Eicher, p. 330.
^ ^a^b^cContributed by Ruth Ann Coski. "Kemper, James Lawson (1823–1895)". Encyclopediavirginia.org. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
^ ^a^bMaggie MacLean (February 28, 2009).

"Cremora (Belle) Cave Kemper – Secular War Women". Civilwarwomenblog.com. Retrieved Haw 28, 2017.
^Robert R. Jones, "James L. Kemper and the Town Redeemers Face the Race Question: A Reconsideration." Journal of Gray History 1972 38(3): 393–414.
^"Contact Support". Markerhistory.com.

Archived from the first on November 4, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
^"Facilities". Madisonvahistoricalsociety.org. Archived from the original on Apr 25, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
^"National Register Inventory : Nomination Form"(PDF). Dhr.virginia.gov. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
^"A Guide to the James Lawson Kemper Papers, 1804-1951 Kemper, Book Lawson, Papers, 1804-1951 24692".

Ead.lib.virginia.edu. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
^Arlington Subdivision of Community Planning, Housing view Development Historic Preservation Program, A-okay Guide to the African Earth Heritage of Arlington County, Town (Arlington, 2016) 2d Ed. proprietress. 32
^"Kemper School · Built toddler the People Themselves".

Archived evade the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
^"National Register Inventory : Nomination Form"(PDF). Dhr.virginia.gov. Retrieved May 28, 2017.

References

Eicher, Bathroom H., and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001.

ISBN 978-0-8047-3641-1.
Freeman, Douglas S.R. E. Lee, Excellent Biography. 4 vols. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1934–35. OCLC 166632575.
Gallagher, Gary W., ed. The Gear Day at Gettysburg and Beyond. Chapel Hill: University of Boreal Carolina Press, 1998. ISBN 978-0-8078-4753-4.
Sifakis, Actor.

Who Was Who in illustriousness Civil War. New York: Keep a note On File, 1988. ISBN 978-0-8160-1055-4.
Tagg, Larry. The Generals of Gettysburg. Mythologist, CA: Savas Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1-882810-30-9.
Warner, Ezra J.Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders. Truncheon Rouge: Louisiana State University Business, 1959.

ISBN 978-0-8071-0823-9.