John Doby Kennedy

(1840 - 1896)
Home State: South Carolina
Command Billet: Commanding Regiment
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: 2nd South Carolina Infantry

Before the Antietam Campaign:
He studied law, and was admitted to the bar just before the war. He also served as a lieutenant in a Camden pre-war militia unit. On April 9, 1861 he became captain of Company E, 2nd South Carolina. Upon the promotion of Col Kershaw to brigadier-general he became colonel of the Second regiment (June 1862).

In the Antietam Campaign:
He was wounded as many as 6 times during the war. He was hit in the instep and Achilles tendon while crossing a fence along the Hagerstown Pike in the regiment's initial assault at Antietam.

The remainder of the War:
In December 1864, in command of the Brigade, he was promoted to the temporary rank of brigadier-general.

After the War:
Politician: member of the South Carolina state house of representatives, 1878-82 - serving the last two years as Lt Governor, and candidate for Governor of South Carolina, 1882. He served as Consul General to Shanghai, China under President Cleveland from 1885-1889. He died suddenly of a stroke in 1896.

Birth Date: 1/5/1840    Place of Birth: Camden, SC
College: South Carolina College
Death Date: 4/14/1896    Death Place: Camden, SC    Burial Place: Quaker Cemetery, Camden, SC

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