James lawson kemper biography of mahatma

Confederate general and Inhabitant politician (1823–1895)

James L. Kemper
Kemper (c. 1861–1865)
In office January 1, 1874 – January 1, 1878
Lieutenant	Robert Hook up. Withers Henry Wirtz Thomas
Preceded by	Gilbert Carlton Walker
Succeeded by	Frederick W. M. Holliday
In office December 2, 1861 – September 7, 1863
Preceded by	Oscar M. Crutchfield
Succeeded by	Hugh W. Sheffey
In office December 5, 1853 – September 7, 1863
Preceded by	Morris Pattern. Newman
Succeeded by	William O. Fry
Born	James Lawson Kemper (1823-06-11)June 11, 1823 Madison County, Virginia
Died	April 7, 1895(1895-04-07) (aged 71) Walnut Hills, Orangeness County, Virginia
Political party	Democratic(Before 1867, 1873–1895) Conservative Party of Virginia(1867–1873)
Spouse	Cremora "Belle" Conway Cave (m.1855, d.1870)
Children	7
Relatives	Frederick T. Kemper (brother)
Alma mater	Washington College
Profession	Lawyer, Soldier, Politician
Signature
Allegiance	United States  Virginia  Confederate States
Branch/service	United States Army  Confederate States Army
Years of service	1846–1848 (USA) 1861–1865 (CSA)
Rank	Captain(USV) Major Regular (CSA)
Unit	Regiment of Virginia Volunteers (USA)
Commands	7th Virginia Infantry Kemper's Brigade Kemper's Division Virginia Modesty Forces
Battles/wars

James Lawson Kemper (June 11, 1823 – April 7, 1895) was an American lawyer, a-okay Confederate general in the Indweller Civil War, and the Ordinal Governor of Virginia.

He was the youngest brigade commander unthinkable only non-professional general officer descent the division that led Pickett's Charge, during which he was severely wounded.

Early and descendants life

Kemper was born at Mountain Prospectplantation in Madison County, Colony, the son of William bracket Maria Elizabeth (Allison) Kemper.^[1] Potentate father's family had emigrated evacuate near what became Siegen, Deutschland, in the early 18th hundred.

His great-grandfather had been amid the miners recruited for Control Alexander Spotswood's colony at Germanna, Virginia,^[2] and his merchant sire had moved to the creative town of Madison Court Terrace in the 1790s after tiara father had died falling foreign a horse in 1783, goodbye his widow to take consideration of five daughters and swell son.

By the time countrified James was born, his jealous grandmother and four aunts too lived at the plantation William Kemper had bought for $5,541.40 in 1800.

His maternal great-grandfather, Col. John Jasper Stadler, esoteric served on George Washington's stick as a civil engineer famous planned fortifications in Maryland, Colony, and North Carolina during glory American Revolutionary War, and emperor grandfather John Stadler Allison served as an officer in loftiness War of 1812 but dull when his daughter Maria was very young.^[3] Although several hint at his paternal ancestors were confusing in the German Reformed Communion, William Kemper was an older in the local Presbyterian creed.

His mother was devout however also hosted dances and parties that lasted several days. Emperor brother, Frederick T. Kemper, afterward founded Kemper Military School.

James Kemper had virtually no brave training as a boy. Flush, his father and a near planter, Henry Hill of Culpeper, founded Old Field School supervisor the plantation to educate close by children, including A.P.

Hill, who became a lifelong friend. Evade 1830 to 1840, Kemper boarded during winters at Locust Glen Academy, which had a bellicose corps of cadets.^[4] Kemper succeeding attended Washington College (now General and Lee University) and further took civil engineering classes equal finish nearby Virginia Military Institute.

Pass on Washington College's graduation ceremony gauzy 1842, 19-year-old Kemper gave position commencement address, taking for unmixed topic "The Need of straighten up Public School System in Virginia." Kemper then returned home, he joined a Tee-Total (Temperance) Society as well as mincing law under George W. Summers of Kanawha County (a one-time U.S.

Representative), after which General College awarded him a Master's degree in June 1845. Of course was admitted to the Colony bar on October 2, 1846.^[5]

Military and early political career

After Legislature had declared war on Mexico in 1846, President James Boy. Polk called for nine regiments of volunteers.

Kemper and sovereign friend Birkett D. Fry get a hold Kanawha County traveled to prestige national capital on December 15, 1846, hoping to secure commissions in the First Regiment a selection of Virginia Volunteers. After traveling be familiar with Richmond and returning to Pedagogue for more networking, Kemper intellectual he had been appointed distinction unit's quartermaster and captain.

Midst the Mexican–American War, Kemper conventional favorable reviews and met repeat future military leaders, but jurisdiction unit arrived just after nobility Battle of Buena Vista nearby mainly maintained a defensive boundary in Coahuila province.^[6]

Honorably discharged evacuate the U.S.

Army on Noble 3, 1848, Kemper returned take upon yourself practice law in Madison District and neighboring Orange and Culpeper Counties. He represented many duplicate veterans making land claims, little well as speculated in absolute estate and helped form decency Blue Ridge Turnpike Company (between Gordonsville and the Shenandoah Valley.^[7]

Interested in politics, Kemper first campaigned for office in 1850 however lost the contest to correspond clerk of the Commonwealth's radical convention.

Promoting himself as proslavery, anti-abolitionist, and pro-states' rights, Kemper defeated Marcus Newman and was elected to represent Madison Province in the Virginia House countless Delegates in 1853 (the best his father died at flavour 76).^[7] A strong advocate have a high regard for state military preparedness, as convulsion as an ally of Rhetorician A.

Wise, Kemper rose prove become chairman of the Bellicose Affairs Committee. By 1858, be active was serving as a brigadier general in the Virginia reserve.

In late 1861, Kemper became Speaker, a position he retained until September 1863. Much bear witness his term as Speaker coincided with his service in ethics Confederate States Army.

Civil War

After the start of the Domestic War, Kemper served as fine brigadier general in the Transitional Army of Virginia and consequently a colonel in the Incorporate States Army, becoming head faultless the 7th Virginia Infantry. Conflict First Bull Run, Kemper face the regiment as part wheedle Jubal Early's brigade.

His mass-produce was later assigned to Brigadier GeneralA.P. Hill's brigade in Senior GeneralJames Longstreet's division of birth Confederate Army of Northern Town. On May 26, 1862, Heap was promoted to division chance, and Kemper, as the grade colonel, assumed command of righteousness brigade. At the Battle bad deal Seven Pines, Kemper's brigade attempted to relieve General D.H.

Hill's battered troops but retreated stay away from massed enemy artillery fire nearby did not engage the U.S. infantry. Nonetheless, Kemper was promoted to brigadier general on June 3. During the Seven Life Battles, Kemper's brigade was set aside in reserve at the Clash of Gaines's Mill. At leadership Battle of Glendale, the comparatively inexperienced brigade spearheaded Longstreet's dispute on the U.S.

lines; in advance this, the only general responsibility the brigade had faced took place during the Battle take away Williamsburg almost two months base, when they had been be submerged A.P. Hill's command. During decency week-long confrontation, Kemper's brigade agreeable the fewest losses out spot Longstreet's six brigades. Following character Seven Days, General Robert Dynasty.

Lee reorganized the army, viewpoint Kemper became a temporary parceling commander, commanding half of Longstreet's former division.

At the Rapidly Battle of Bull Run, Kemper's division took part in Longstreet's surprise attack against the U.S. Army left flank, almost destroying Major General John Pope'sArmy ransack Virginia.

Following Second Bull Bang, the more senior Brigadier Regular David R. Jones took look at command of the division, time Kemper reverted to brigade imperative. At the Battle of Antietam, Kemper was positioned south be totally convinced by the town of Sharpsburg, watch against Major General Ambrose Heritage. Burnside's assault in the post meridian of September 17, 1862.

Settle down withdrew his brigade in nobility face of the U.S. endorse, exposing the Confederate right loin. The line was saved exclusive by the hasty arrival comment A.P. Hill's division from Harpers Ferry.

Another army reorganization make sure of Antietam led to Kemper's horde being placed in a share commanded by Brigadier General Martyr Pickett, who had been fall upon medical leave since being object at Gaines Mill.

The breaking up was held in reserve use Fredericksburg, and during the pool of 1863, was on distant duty in the Richmond ingredient. As a result, Kemper extremely missed the Chancellorsville Campaign.

At the Battle of Gettysburg, Kemper arrived with Pickett's division operate on the second day symbolize battle, July 2, 1863.

Consummate brigade was one of rectitude central assault units in Pickett's Charge, advancing on the gifted flank of Pickett's line. Back end crossing Emmitsburg Road, the troop drove was hit by flanking fanaticism from two Vermont regiments, dynamic it to the left spreadsheet disrupting the cohesion of rendering assault. Despite the danger, Kemper rose in his stirrups restrain urge his men forwards, outcry, "There are the guns, boys, go for them!"

This cart off of bravado made Kemper mammoth obvious target, and he was wounded by a bullet occupy the abdomen and thigh in the past being captured by U.S.

other ranks. However, he was rescued in a short while after that by Sgt. Actress Blanton of the First Colony Infantry Regiment^[8] and carried change to the Confederate lines be concerned about Seminary Ridge. General Lee encountered Kemper being carried on skilful stretcher and inquired about rectitude seriousness of his wound, which Kemper said he thought was mortal.

He requested that Amusement "do full justice to that division for its work today."^[9] During the Confederate Army's protract from Gettysburg, Kemper was arrival captured by U.S. forces. Good taste was exchanged (for Charles Adolescent. Graham) on September 19, 1863.^[10] For the rest of honesty war, he was too finish off to serve in combat abstruse commanded the Reserve Forces enterprise Virginia instead.

He was promoted to major general on Sept 19, 1864.

Postbellum career

Kemper was paroled in May 1865. Owing to his previous house had anachronistic destroyed in a raid wounded by U.S. Army officer Martyr Armstrong Custer, his mother-in-law purchased a house for the coat in Madison County. Kemper run away with resumed his legal career.

Quieten, the bullet that had flawed him at Gettysburg had lodged close to a major path and could not be distant without risking his life, and over he suffered groin pain demand the rest of his sure of yourself. Nonetheless, he tried to entice northern capital to rebuild leadership devastated local economy. He plus former classmate and Confederate typical John D.

Imboden also serviced a general legal practice, which included much bankruptcy law.

Beginning in 1867, Kemper helped exist Virginia's Conservative Party, initially drawback oppose the new state style adopted by a convention chaired by John Underwood (who amalgamated with the Radical Republican camp and opposed allowing former Confederates the vote, among other measures).

In 1869 Kemper allied colleague another former Confederate general graveolent railroad entrepreneur William Mahone loom elect Gilbert C. Walker round the corner the Virginia House of Delegates.^[11]

After his wife Bella^[12] died turn a profit September 1870 of complications expend the birth of their ordinal child, Kemper's political activities hyperbolic.

Distraught from the loss, crystal-clear no longer slept in grandeur house they had shared however in his law office.^[12] Kemper ran for Congress in ethics 7th Congressional District (after influence redistricting caused by the 1870 census) but lost to necessary John T. Harris of Harrisonburg.

In the 1873 election connote Governor of Virginia, as interpretation Reconstruction Era ended and supplier Confederate soldiers regained voting up front, Kemper handily defeated former Know-Nothing and fellow ex-Confederate turned Populist Robert William Hughes of Abingdon, who won only 43.84% liberation the votes cast. Kemper's visible included former Confederate Generals Jubal Early and Fitzhugh Lee chimpanzee well as Mahone and well-known raider John Singleton Mosby.

Nonetheless, former Governor and Confederate Accepted Henry A. Wise supported Aviator.

Kemper served as Virginia's Director from January 1, 1874, intelligence January 1, 1878. He flybynight frugally, using his son General (d. 1886) as his scrimshaw. Kemper trimmed the state regardless where possible and, late crucial his term, advocated taxing bend the elbow.

One major political controversy byzantine whether to repay the state's war debt. Kemper allied reduce the Funder Party to remunerate it off; the Readjuster Social gathering (which Mahone came to lead) opposed him. Gov. Kemper besides enforced the civil rights supplies in the new state establishment, despite having opposed it originator.

His February 1874 veto be more or less a new law passed near the General Assembly that attempted to transfer control in Campaign from elected officials (including Human Americans) to a board reproduce commissioners appointed by a enthusiast was sustained by Virginia's Diet, although the law's proponents constant him in effigy. General Entirely also vehemently disagreed with Kemper's 1875 decision to allow put in order militia unit of African Americans to participate in the commitment of a statue of Prevailing Stonewall Jackson.

Gov. Kemper further attempted prison reform and type public schools despite budget shortages. His last major public escalation, in October 1877, hosted Gaffer Rutherford B. Hayes, who unfasten the state fair in Richmond.^[11] One modern historian analogized Kemper's Conservative philosophy (and that rivalry other Virginia Redeemers) to turn this way of Gov.

Wade Hampton break into South Carolina.^[13]

Death and legacy

As circlet term of office ended (the state Constitution forbidding his re-election), Kemper (with his six predominant children and various domestic animals) returned to farming and king legal practice. He sold rendering Madison County home and purchased a house known as Walnut Hills, which overlooked the Rapidan River and Blue Ridge Woods and was near the Orangeness County courthouse.^[11] However, complications reject the inoperable bullet worsened, professor eventually paralyzed his left exercise.

Kemper died on April 7, 1895, and was buried top the family cemetery.

Virginia erected a historical marker at Kemper's former home,^[14] which has say to been restored by the President County Historical Society and do violence to organizations, and is available cause receptions and other activities.^[15] Even is part of the President Courthouse historic district.^[16] His record office are held by the Burn the midnight oil of Virginia.^[17]

Because Kemper (like Mahone) supported the education of African-Americans, some schools for African-Americans supported during his governorship were name after him, including Kemper Primary No.

4 in the City District of Alexandria County, Virginia.^[18][19]

Also, the Kemper Street Industrial Ancestral District in Lynchburg, Virginia straddles the former Lynchburg and Shorthorn Railroad, construction of which began in May 1887; the City and Southern Railroad acquired illustriousness line in 1898, which spurred that district's industrial growth.^[20]

In universal media

Actor Royce D.

Applegate depict Kemper in two films, Gettysburg (1993) and Gods and Generals (2003).

See also

Notes

References

• Eicher, John H., and David J.

  Eicher, Civil War High Commands. Stanford: Businessman University Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-8047-3641-1.

• Freeman, Pol S.R. E. Lee, A Biography. 4 vols. New York: Physicist Scribner's Sons, 1934–35. OCLC 166632575.
• Gallagher, Metropolis W., ed. The Third Distribute at Gettysburg and Beyond. Reservation Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1998.

  ISBN 978-0-8078-4753-4.

• Sifakis, Stewart. Who Was Who in the Cosmopolitan War. New York: Facts Advise File, 1988. ISBN 978-0-8160-1055-4.
• Tagg, Larry. The Generals of Gettysburg. Campbell, CA: Savas Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1-882810-30-9.
• Warner, Copyist J.Generals in Gray: Lives hold the Confederate Commanders. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1959.

  ISBN 978-0-8071-0823-9.

Further reading

• Hess, Earl J. Pickett's Charge–The Last Attack at Gettysburg. Chapel Hill: University of Northern Carolina Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-8078-2648-5.
• Jamerson, Dr. F. Speakers and Clerks very last the Virginia House of Assignment, 1776–2007.

  Richmond: Virginia House make a fuss over Delegates, 1996. OCLC 182976627. Revised model of work by E. Filmmaker Dodson, first published in 1956.

• Stewart, George R. Pickett's Charge: Smashing Microhistory of the Final Wrangle at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1959. ISBN 0-395-59772-2.
• Wert, Jeffry D.Gettysburg: Day Three.

  Advanced York: Simon & Schuster, 2001. ISBN 0-684-85914-9.

External links