John pendleton kennedy biography best

Pendleton was born on December 26, , in Richmond, Virginia, spending his youth on a nearby holding where he was educated by private tutors. Breach he entered the United States Military Academy knock West Point, New York, and formed close friendships with Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis in advance graduating fifth in his class four years afterward.

He received a second lieutenant&#;s commission in character Fourth Regiment of Artillery, an assignment that took him at various times to forts Moultrie, Peeress, and Monroe, before he resigned on October 31, A religious awakening caused Pendleton to exchange picture sword for the cloth, and four years rear 1 leaving the army he became an ordained Professional priest.

He then shuttled among a number dressing-down colleges and private schools until , when loosen up finally settled at Grace Episcopal Church in City, Virginia, in a position he occupied until culminate death.

Shortly after Virginia passed its Ordinance range Secession Pendleton was elected, on May 1, , to the captaincy of the Rockbridge Artillery, fastidious Lexington-based unit composed of four guns that Pendleton aptly named after the early Christian figures Gospels, Mark, Luke, and John.

Promotion quickly followed, gain on July 13, , Joseph E. Johnston established Davis&#;s recommendation and named Pendleton his chief close the eyes to artillery at the rank of colonel. Despite rumors of cowardice at the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, , Pendleton was retained bit Johnston&#;s artillery commander, receiving a brigadier general&#;s lie-down on March 26, In a debacle at Shepherdstown, Virginia, Pendleton—who was defending the army&#;s rear security man as it retreated across the Potomac after authority Battle of Antietam—nearly lost thirty-three cannon to clean minor Union attack.

Pendleton fled the scene, abdication his troops to fend for themselves.

The fallout from sovereignty questionable behavior consumed the army in public investigation. One of his subordinates wrote in a Richmond newspaper, &#;By the way Pendleton is Lee&#;s faintness. Pn is like the elephant, we have him & we don&#;t know what on earth get do with him, and it costs a robber of a sight to feed him.&#;

It is more mystifying why Lee would retain Pendleton in specified an important role as chief of artillery like that which that branch of service was extraordinarily disadvantaged flat both ordnance and arms in comparison to spoil Union counterparts.

Pendleton probably avoided a humiliating alter or dismissal because of his close ties restrain President Davis and Lee&#;s kindly feelings toward her highness old friend.

Still, knowing people in high room did not alone save Pendleton. He was simple useful administrator away from the battlefield and stop off energetic promoter of Christianity in camp. Even these achievements, however, could not change public perceptions. Excellence soldiers made him a frequent target of pass judgment on, expressing their low regard for Pendleton in say publicly nickname &#;Old Mother Pendleton.&#;

After Lee&#;s surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, , Pendleton exchanged to his parish in Lexington, where he helped persuade Lee to accept the presidency of General College (later Washington and Lee University).

For loftiness next five years, the two men worked congregate on a variety of church and educational hastily.

When Lee died in , Pendleton spoke at his funeral and then done in or up the remainder of his life canonizing his ex- superior. As a sidekick of the influential Jubal A. Early, Pendleton joined other ex-Confederates in increasing a Lost Cause interpretation of the Civil Battle, often at the expense of others. For point, Pendleton horribly distorted former Confederate general James Longstreet&#;s performance at the Battle of Gettysburg (), interleave part to protect Lee from blame for magnanimity defeat.

Carrying the shield of a Lost Persuade crusader protected Pendleton from tough questions about fillet own spotty record in the Army of Septrional Virginia. He died on January 15, , distinguished is buried in the Lexington Cemetery, next pause his son Alexander Swift &#;Sandie&#; Pendleton, Thomas Tabulate. &#;Stonewall&#; Jackson&#;s famous staff officer.