The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-07

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/ Withers--he said he was, perhaps more
than any one else, responsible for kemper's
candidacy, and that he knew he did not
thought he professed eminent qualifications.
Kemper would not appreciate nomination
that did not come in a regular way.
Hon. James Barbour, of Culpeper,
went in in style for Kemper, saying that
he was the man of all men, &c.; he re-
minded us very much of a jay bird, hop
ping around the stage. At the close oi
I his remarks, at ! o'clock p. M, an unsuc-
cessfill motion was made to adjourn. The
previous question was then called and sus-
tanned, and the nominations were then
entered into. NV
GENERAL KEMPER.
General kemper was born in Madison
county, Virginia, in 1924, and descended
from British and Continental ancestors,
who settled in Virginia in 1850.
Hetook the degree Of Master Of Arts at
Washington college now Washington and
Lee university and studied law in the office
of George w. Summers, esq, in Charles
ton KanaWha county. In 1847 he was
commissioned captain in the volunteer
army by President James X. Polk, and
joined General Taylor's army of occupa-
ton in Mexico just after the battle of Bue-
ma Vista-thus seeing no active service in
the Mexican war; III
HIS WAR RECORD.
lie was for ten years a member Of the
legislature, and for two years speaker of
the house Of delegates.
On the I'd Of May, 1861, he was COM
missioned by the convention Of Virginia,
on the nomination Of Governor Letcher,
colonel of Virginia volunteers, and assigned
to the command Of the Seventh regiment
of infantry, which command he assumed
at Manassas. He was first engaged with
his regiment in the battle of Bull Run,
July 18, 1861, and thereafter at the first
battle of Manassas. July 81. 1861.
After the battle of Williamsburg, in 1862,
he was promoted to the command of the
old brigade, which had been sue.
cessively commanded by, Longstreet,
Ewell and A. P. Hill, and COM
manding it, participated in the first
days fight at Seven Pines, May 81,
1862, and the seven days. fighting around
Richmond in the same year. In the Sc
cond battle Of Manassas he commanded
temporarily a division composed Of several
of the brigades afterwards composing
Pickett's division. He commanded his
own brigade in the battles of South Noun
tain and Sharpsburg, and participated in
the battle Of Fredericksburg, December.
1862, and was sent with his brigade to
Moth Carolina, where he commanded the
forces at Kingston. He rejoined
| Pickett's division in front of Suffolk,
Va, participated in the operations
at that place, and marched with the div-
sion into Pennsylvania, his troops taking
their full share in the battle of Gettysburg,
where he was desperately wounded while
calamity leading his brigade.
lie was held prisoner in the hospital
for three months, but upon the written
certificates Of several United States sur
geons that he must soon die, he was finally
exchanged. frksf
After his exchange and return to Vir-
ginia, he was for long time too much dis
abled to perform any duty in the field. In
1864 he was commissioned amajor-general
and assigned to the important service Of
commanding the local forces in and around
Richmond, in which position he remained
until the evacuation.
After the close of the war, he retired to
his home in Madison county, and resumed
the practice Of law. ss
He took an active part in the Walker
i campaign, and in the last Presidential con-
test was one Of the Greeley and Brown
electors for the state at large.
Second Days Proceedings.
/ The convention met at 10:40 a. m.
i Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jeter, of the Baptist
Church.
On motion Of Major Hartman, commit
to visit the convention.
On motion of Mr.. Wallace, the nomina-
uion as a candidate for acknowledgement
was bestowed on Colonel Withers by ac-
clamation.
| On motion collection Of one dollar was
taken up from each delegate to defray the
expenses.
| Governor McMullen said he had moi
called Colonel Hughes what one of the re-
porters said he had, but "an apostate
backsliding Democrat"
Governor Walker visited the convention
and made speech. az
| On motion of General Early, Mr.. VIM.
A. Burwell, of Franklin, was admitted as
delegate. 4 s-s
The convention indulged in coniabula-
ton about the advisablity Of appointing
canvassers.
| Colonel Withers entered and accepted
the nomination rendered him.
| p. w. McHenry, of Prince Edward
Raleigh 7. Daniel, of Richmond; James II
Williams, Of Frederick; General James A
Walker, of Pulaski; d. j. Goodwin, o
Portsmouth, NC, were respectively PLACED
l r.. L..