Middletown transcript., 1873-08-16
Edward Reynolds.
General ]. L. Kemper.


The Richmond Dispatch gives the fol-
lowing biographical sketch Of Gen. J. l.
Ksmper. the recently nominated Conscrv-
u,ivs candidate for Governor Of Virginia:
General James Lawson kemper is a ua-
tive Of Madison county. Va, aud a de-
scendant Of British colonists who cmigrat-
cd to Virginia in the eighteenth century
He was born 10 Madison county in 1874.
aud is, therefore, in the fiicth year of his
age. Ile is a man Of splendid physique,
xns personal appearance. aud looks much
Younger than he is, notwithstanding a
Iimpiug gait. which is the result Of wounds
won in the service of his country.
General Kcmpcr had an academic cdu-
cation, aud is a graduate of Washington
Collsge-now Washington and Lee Uni.
versity. After leaving college he pursued
the study Of law under Geo. W Summers,
Esq, in Charlcstown, kauawha county.
During tho Mexican war he was com
mis.ioned captain in the volunteer army
by President Polk. and joined Gen. Tay-
lor's army Of occupation in Mexico just
after the battle Of Buena Vista We are in
formed that he was adjutan, Of II regiment
OF virginians. but had little active service
in Mexico. General kcmpcr began po-
ftical life rs member Of tha House Of
Delegates, and served in that body for ten
Years. For two years he was Speaker OF
the House, and for several years was chair
man Of the Committee ON Military Affairs.
lie was also during this time member Of
the Board Of Visitors to the Virginia Mil
itary Institute When the Confederate
war for independence began. the eyes Of
all who knew him were turned to General
Ksmpcr as one f, to be leader in the
armies Of Virginia.
On the ID Of May, 1861 be was com
missi,ned by the Convention Of Virginia,
on the nomination Of Governor Letchcr,
Colonel Of Virginia volunteers, and as
signed to the command of the Seventh
Regiment Of Infantry. which command he
assumed at Manassas. After the battle OF
Manassas, General Kcmpcr was promoted
TO the command OF the old brigade which
had been su-eessively commanded by
Lonestrect, Ewcll. and \ 7. Hill, and,
commanding it. participated in tha first
DAYS 6gh, at Seven Pines. May 81, 1852
and the seven days fighting around Rich
mond in the same year lie commanded
his own brigade in the battle, of South
Mountain and Sharpsburg Soon after tbs
return Of Kempers brigade from the iirs'
Maryland campaign it wa. incorporated il
Pickctts division. At the battle Of Fred
ericksburs. December, 1862 Grn KEN
per, with his brigade was temporarily de
iachsd from the division. and joined III,
troops on Marye's Heights on the after
noon of that day, under hot fire. IL
was again detached from the division early
in 1868, and sent with his brigade Il
North Carolina. where he comminlei ,h,
forces at Kingston opposed to the Fedora
force under General Foster. who then held
Newbcrn. lie r.joinci fiekctts division
in from, Of Suffolk, Va participated in III,
operations at that place, and marched Will
the division into Pennsylvania, his troop
taking their full share in the terrible mas
sacre a. Gettysburg General kempe
was supposed to bc mor,ally wounds'
while CALAMITY leading his brigade H.
was brough, of that bloody field and sen
TO q hospital for surgical treatment, an'
upon examination Of his wound it wa
thought that il would be impossible 70
him TO live. The officers anu men OF hi
brigade waited in drsnching rain for sev
erai hours. expecting to hear momentarll.
Of his death In fact. coffin was obtain
cd for him and placed ia an ambulance, s.
chat as soon as breath had fled they nigh
take his body and retreat with il lie wa
held a prisoner in the hospital for thre
months, but upon the written certificate
Of several Uaitcd States surgeons that b
mus, soon die he was finally exchanged
After long furlough, durilg which hi
friends never expected to see him again u
uniform. General kcmper returned to du
". and although unable to serve in th
fsld, vas assigned to the command OF tn
local forces in and around Richmond.
June, 1864. he was commissioned Majo
General. His discharge Of the ardn'u
and delicate duties Of commaudant at tn
capital gave satisfaction at all times, an
he continued to discharge them until til
evacuation Of Richmond. in 1865, Sine
the var Gen. kemper has been quietl
engaged 10 the practice Of law ut his ol
home in Madison county. aud has oal
taken part in political strife in great can
,na;s.s like those Of 1869 and 1872. A
4 canvasser for tho Walker ticket he di
yeomsn service. In the Conservative Cot
yeu,ion Of last year be made the motion
Sustruct the delegates to vote for the rat
6catiou Of Greeley and Brown, and SUI
ported Il il one Of the most eloquent eilor
Of bis life. He was then appointed Pre-
jdeutial elector a. large on the Liber
>s.k.A and can vnsscd the State with gre