Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-08-30
GEN. JAMES l.. kEMPER.


ya,iye candidate for Governor of Nr-
.inia, is a native of Madison county,
Va, AMI descendant of British colo
nists who cmi.ritcd TO Virginia in the
eighteenth century. lie Was born IN
Madison county in 1924, and is there
! fore in the iiiticth year of his age. lie
is 4 man of splendid physique, line per
sonal appearance aud looks mnch youn-
Ger than he is, Notwithstanding y limp
ing gait, which is the result Of wounds
won in the service OF his country.
General kemper has
AN ACADEMIC EDUCATIoN,
and a graduate of Washington College
now Washington and Lee University.
After leaving college he pursued the
study of law under Geo W. Summers,
Esq, in Charleston, kanawha county.
~ THE MENICAN wAI.
During the Mexican war he was com
missioncd captain in the volunteer army
by President Polk, anl joined General
Taylors army of occlipatiun 10 Mexico
Just after the battle of Buena Vista We
are informed that be Was adjuiant ol
the regiment OF Nirginiaus, but had lii
tic active service in Mexico.
nIs POLITICAL LifE.
Gen. Kemper began political liic as
/ q member of the House of Delegates,
and served in that body for ten Years.
For two years was chairman OF the
! Committee ON Military Affairs. lln
was also dhrin. this time member of
tho Board of Visitors TO the Virginia
Military Institute.
When the Confederate war for indc-
pendence began, the eyes of NIL who
knew him were turned 10 Gen. kcmpcr
as one Iit TO be 4
LEADER ~ THE ARMIES of NiEGiNh,
On the 2d of May. 1861, he was com
missioned by the Convention OF Viz.
ginia, on the nomination OF May, 1861,
he was commissioned by the Conyen-
ton of Virginia on the nomination of
Governor Letcber, colonel of Virginia
volunteers, and assigned 10 the command
Of the 18th regiment OF infantry, whic',
command he assumed at Manassas. lic
was first engaged with his regiment ia
the battle OF Bull Run, July lS, 1861,
and thereafter al tho first battle OF Ma
nassas, July 81, 1861, where his regi-
ment was temporarily incorporated IN a
brigade commanded by Col. Jubal A.
Early. and aided in striking the final
blow on the extreme lcft oi The Federal
line which Immediately preceded the
retreat and final route Of that army.
AFTER TIE BATTLE or MANASSAS
General kcmpcr was promoted To the
command Of the old brigade which had
been successfully commanded 10y Long
street. Ewcll, and Hills, and command
ing it, participated in the first days
feht ai Seven Fiues, May 81, 81, and
the Z days lighting around Richmond
in the same, year In the second battle
Of Manassas Brigidier General Kelnper
commanded temporarily division com.
posed Of several Of the brigades after
wards composing Picketts division.
AT TIE BATTLE OF rREDEgIcKsBrgG,
December, 1862, General Kcmper with
his brigade was temporarily detached
from the division, and joined the troops
on Marye's Heights OF the afternoon of
the day under hot fire. lie was again
detached from the division early in
1863. aud sent his brigade 10 North
Carolina, where hc commanded the
forces at Kingston opposed to the Fed
eral force under General Foster who
then held Newburn. lie crejOiDcd Pick
ett's division ~ front OF Suffolk, Va,
participated in the operations st that
place and marched with the division ii-
to Pennsylvania, his troops taking their
full share in the massacre at Gcttysburg.
General Kemper was supposed TO be
mortally wounded, while galIantly lead
ing his brigade. lie was brought OF
that bloody field and sent 10 hospital
for surgical treatment. aud upon exmui-
nation Of his wounds IL Mas thought that
it would be impossible Tor him to live.
In June, 1861, be was commissioned
Major General. His discharge Of fhc
arduous and delicate duties Of comman.
dant at the capital, gave satisfaction at
all times, aud he continued to discharge
them until tlc evacuation 0f I:icInno1J
la 1865. a ,/
SINCE TIE wSE,
General KeInper has bceE quietly enga
ged in the practice Of law vt his old
home in Madison county, and has only
taken part in political strife in great
campaigns like those Of 1863 and 1872.
As q canyasser for the Walker ticket be-
did yeonlaD service In the Co1serya-
tive Convention Of last year he made
the motion TO instruct the delegates 10
vote for the ratification Of Greeley AMI
Brown, and supported it in ono Of The
most eloquent efforts Of his life. lie
Was then appointed presidential elecior
at large on the Liberal ticket, and e:.n-
yassedthe State withgrcateiiectiyelcsss.
lie has always since the war had no
desire for political Office Of any kind, and
IL was only after great persuasion from
friends im all parts Of the State tl'st he
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