> > Remembering Joe > > on August 5, 1862 > > Joseph Kendall Notable Man of Fauquier > > > Quoting from the following source: > > "The Brooke, Fauquier, Loudoun and Alexandria Artillery" By Michael J. > Andrus, H. E. Howard, Inc...Publisher, ISBN 0-930919-92-0, page 68. > > Quote: " Early the next morning, August 5th, breathless cavalrymen reported > that the Federals were approaching Malvern Hill from the North. Stribling's > men rushed to their guns but barely had time to wheel them into position > before a squadron of Union cavalry charged. Cavalry was no match for > artillery, and a few shots from the Fauquier men drove the horsemen back. > Soon, however, more Yankees appeared. Two Federal batteries wheeled > out into the fields about 600 yards from Stribling's guns. The Federal guns > opened fire and a hasty dual followed. Privates John Ball and William Suddith > fell dead. > > Others fell wounded, including JOSEPH KENDALL --- 'a plain country lad' --- > whose leg was torn off at the thigh by a Union shell. Two men carried KENDALL > behind the crest of the hill. Seeing a group of loose horses, KENDALL insisted > on holding them: " At least I can do that much," he said. The two men placed > him on the ground, gathered up the reins of the horses, and gave them to > KENDALL. Lying there the suffering private occasionally yelled to his > comrades, "Don't give up, men. Never let them take the guns. Fight to the > last!" When Captain Stribling walked by him, KENDALL asked, "Can we > drive them back? How are the men of Lieutenant Marshall's section fighting?" > Stribling asked KENDALL if he wanted anything. "I want a drink of water," > he replied, "But don't stop any of the men to bring it, for I will soon be dead." > A short time later, KENDALL died, the reins of the horses still in his lifeless > hand." End Quote > > Joseph Kendall was a Fauquier native. Born in 1840 just South of Marshall in > the "Free State" to Jeremiah and Jane (Carter) KENDALL. Before the war, he > had worked for Thomas A. Hirst as a farm manager. He was killed in action on > August 5, 1862 at the battle of Malvern Hill in Virginia. His heroic memory > was legend among Confederate Veterans. For decades, at annual reunions of > Confederate Veterans, their meeting place was called the JOE KENDALL > CAMP in honor of his selfless dedication on the battlefield. > Sincerely, > Tom Kendall > Wilmington, North Carolina > > > >