The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-09
HISDEATH SUNDAY IN ORANGE COUNTY.
Els Excellent administration Is Exseu-
tiFs Of the State From 1878 t0'77.
TERRIBLY WOUNDED At GETTYSBURG.
The First Native Governor OF virginia After
the Wsr-IntsrsstingI Incidents OF HIS
Life--FnIersl To-Day.

noon. on Sunday, OF dropsy OF the heart.
lie had been In falling health for five
or six years, and his end was not un-
expected. After his brilliant career as a
soldier, he was elected Governor OF
Virginia In 1873. and subsequently sue
cessfully practiced law in Madison and
Orange counties. TO which county he re-
moved within the last fifteen years.
General Kemper was stern man, OF
high moral character brave soldier,
n distinguished politician and brilliant
advocate He was unchanging IN MS
loves and dislikcs, and never had ms
political disabilities specially removed
after the war
The writer has often heard him say,
1t is a question. sir. whether, although
dc facto Governor OF Virginia, was ever
de lure Governor referring 10 his failure
10 apply Tor removal OF his political
disabilities.
He was entitled 70, but never claimed.
pension for services Ia the Mexican war
lie married Miss Cremora cave on July
a lS3 who died October 3, 1870, and
leaves surviving him four children, VIZ;
Mrs. Dr. Lynch, j. l.. Kemper, Jr.. Heoer
Kernper and Florence. an unmarried
daughter. who lived with her father on
his beautiful estate. In Orange county
on the Rapidan river at the time OF MS
death.
His funeral takes places from his late
home at o'clock tomorrow.
soLDIER-LEGfsLAToR.
James Lawson Kemper was born III
Madison county, Va, in 1874 his ances-
tors setting in Virginia in 1900 lie was
sent TO Washington College, now ash-
irgton and Lee University. 1T Lexing-
~Asg Ia degree
of Arts. Subsequently he studied law III
the Office of Hon. George w. summers,
at Charleston, kanawna rounty now
West Virginia. He han scarcely entered
upon the practice of his profession. whsh
he was commission ed captain IN me
volunteer army by President James n:
Polk. in 1871 and Joined the Army OF
Occupation in Mexico. just after the bat
tie OF Buena Vista, seeing actVe service
in that war. ~. -.
Returning f,s@ S,. MsSsss MS.soSSsssj BE 's:Y fsss
% ability and ID success, aai.'RS 80 yyss the
| public recognition Of lis capacity and
patriotism, that the people of Madison
| elected him In 1853 10 represent them
| in the House OF Delegates, where he
tock a prominent picoe, and whore his
constituents continued him until the be-
ginning OF the late war. In the Legisla-
ture he was chairman of the Committee
ber of the House was elected Brisadier-
General OF militia.
SPEAKER OF HOUSE or DRLEoATEs.
on tho death OF Speaker o. M.
Crutchhed, he was unanimously elected
to that position, which he filed with
dignity and ability fer only one session,
when. az the beginning OF The war. IN
ls6l. he accepted the appointment Of coi-
| onel OF the Seventh regiment OF Virginia
Infantry from Governor Letcher Pre-
vious to the war he was also for some
| time president of the Board OF Nisitop
| of the Virginia Military Institute.
His commission as colonel OF the Sew
| enth regiment was dated May 2. 1851.
| and he assumed command at Manassas.
| the regiment then being $50 strong. With
! this regiment he was engaged In the
| battle OF Bull Run, July Is, 1851, and the
| following battle at Manassas, July Il,
| 1861 where his regiment formed part OF
| a brigade commanded by the then Colonel
| Jubal A. Early. and aided In striking
| the maj blow on the extreme left OF the
| Federal line which Immediately preceded
] and caused the retreat and rout or the
| Federal army on that day.
| Three GAYS after the battle Of Manassas
| the Seventh regiment was Incorporated
| In the brigade then commanded by Cen
| eral IOnsttreot but which was subse-
1
| with whom Kemper and his regiment was
| in the hottest Of the fight at Williams
| burg May 5. 1862. engaging the enemy
| for nine successive hours. and capturing
| several pieces OF artillery and so prison.
| ers.
MADE A BRfoADIEn.
Immediately after this battle he was
| promoted 10 the command OF the old bri-
| gade which had been commanded by
| Longstreet, Ewell and A. =. Hill, and
, with II he participated In the first days
| fight al Seven Pines May 81. 1862 and In
| the seven days fighting around Rich
| mond Ia the same year. Al the second
battle OF Manassas Brigadier-General
| Kemper temporarily commanded a div-
| sion composed Of several OF the briyades
| afterwards constituting Picketts division.
! In that battle he was opposed 10 ths
| extreme left OF the enemy. but acting on
| his own judgment and taking the respon-
| Sibfifty, he changed front so as 10 strike
the enemy's right flank. and soon after
| n was done. received a message from
| General r. II. Lee commanding precisely
| the movement he had already successful-
| ly accomplished. with tremendous loss
| TO the Federals. He and his brigade did
| honorable service at South Mountain and
| sharpsburg. and soon after the return
of the army OF Northern Virginia from
| was incorporated in Pickett's division.
At the battle OF Fredericksburg. I'm De-
! cember. 1862. General Kemper. With his
brigade. was temporarily detached from
| the division. and Joined the troops on
| Aaiye's Heights on the forenoon Of that
| day, under hot fire. He and the brigade
we're again detached early In 1858 and
sent 10 North Carolina, where he COM
| r,anded the forces at Kingston. opposed
| 10 the Federals under General Foster.
who then held New Berne. He rejoined
| Pickett's division in front OF suffolk. Va,
| participating in the operations al that
| point, and marched with the division into
| Pennsylvania. his troops taking their
| full share in the terrible fight at Gettys-
burg. There General kemper was serious
| iy wounded, and II was long thought NOR
| tally while CALAMITY leading his men 20
| the charge. He was carried of the nelc
| without hope OF recovery, AMI was after
| wards taken prisoner. He was held pris-
| oner IN the Federal hospital for three
| months when. upon the written certih.
! Gates Of several Federal surgeons that he
| must soon die. he was exchanged for
| Brigadier-Generai GIafem, U. y. n.
slightly wounded and captured at dettys-
| burg.
] DISABLED pok FIELD DUTY.
After his exchange and return TO vsr-
einia General kemper was for long
time too disabled 10 do duty In the field.
| lie attempted. nevertheless. TO return 10