Complex sentence: Parmenter, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is invariably kind and encouraging to his men--and always bravely, but ineptly, leads them into action.
Split into simpler sentences: Parmenter, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is well-meaning and sweet-natured, although essentially clueless. He is invariably kind and encouraging to his men--and always bravely (albeit ineptly) leads them into action.