Major-General Joseph Brevard Kershaw was born at Camden, S.C., January 5, 1822, son of
John Kershaw, member of Congress in 1812-14, whose wife was Harriet, daughter of Isaac Du
Bose, an aide-de-camp of General Marion. His line of the Kershaw family in South Carolina was
founded by Joseph Kershaw, a native of Yorkshire, who immigrated in 1750, and served as a
colonel in the war of the revolution. General Kershaw was educated for the legal profession and
began practice in 1844 at Camden. He was a member of the governor's staff in 1843, and served
one year in the Mexican war as first lieutenant of Company C, Palmetto regiment. From 1852 to
1855 he was a representative in the legislature, and in 1860 participated in the convention which
enacted the ordinance of secession. In February, 1861, he was commissioned
colonel of the Second South Carolina regiment, with which he served at Sullivan's island, and in
April went to Virginia. He commanded his regiment, in the brigade of General Bonham, at the
Blackburn's Ford engagement and the battle of First Manassas, and in February, 1862, was
promoted brigadier-general, to succeed General Bonham. In this rank he participated in the
Yorktown campaign, and in McLaws' division fought through the Seven Days' campaign before
Richmond, commanded the troops which captured Maryland heights, and had a gallant part in
the fighting at Sharpsburg. At Fredericksburg his brigade was sent into the fight at Marye's hill,
where Kershaw was in command after General Cobb was wounded; at Chancellorsville he was
an active participant, and at Gettysburg he and his brigade were conspicuous in the defeat of
Sickles at the peach orchard. Reaching the field of Chickamauga in time for the fighting of
September 20th, he was in the grand line of veterans with which Longstreet overwhelmed the
Federals, commanding McLaws' division, and in the last grand assault on George H. Thomas
also commanding McNair's, Gracie's, Kelly's and Anderson's brigades. He drove the enemy into
their lines at Chattanooga, and subsequently participated in the Knoxville campaign, at Bean's
Station and other engagements commanding the division. In the same command he went into
the Wilderness campaign of May, 1864, checked the Federal success on May 6th with his
veterans, sweeping the enemy from his front and capturing his works. He was riding with
Longstreet and Jenkins when these two generals were wounded, and fortunately escaped injury.
It was his division which reached Spottsylvania Court House in time to support Stuart's cavalry
and thwart the flank movement of Grant, and by an attack on Sheridan opened the bloody
struggle at Cold Harbor, where the heaviest Federal loss was before Kershaw's position. He was
promoted major.general, and after participating in the Petersburg battles was
ordered to the support of Early in the Shenandoah valley. In September he was ordered back to
Richmond, and while on the way Early was defeated at Winchester. Then returning to the valley
he opened the attack at Cedar Creek, with great success. After this, until the fall of Richmond, he
served before that city, north of the James. His last battle was Sailor's Creek, where he was
captured with General Ewell and the greater part of the remnant of his command. As a prisoner
of war he was held at Fort Warren, Boston, until August 12, 1865. On his return to South
Carolina he again took up the practice of law, and in the same year was elected to the State
senate and made president of that body. In 1874 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress
in his district, and three years later was elected to the position of judge of the Fifth circuit. He
served upon the bench until 1893, when he resigned on account of failing health and resumed
practice as an attorney at Camden. In February, 1894, he was commissioned postmaster at that
city, but he died on the 12th of April following. His wife, Lucretia Douglas, to whom he was
married in 1844, four daughters and a son survive him. The latter is rector of St. Michael's
church, Charleston.