Veteran William L. Kemp said,
"I have stood pat for our cause all the way to the present time and will die loving the lost cause." August 17, 1907

Veteran William L. Kemp said,
"I never have voted a Republican ticket nor I never will as long as I live."

Reading over his military records and personal letters, I find that he was described as having a
fair complexion, black eyes, dark hair and standing six feet tall. He fought in the battles of
Corinth & Farmington, Mississippi, Shiloh, Perryville, Kentucky, Stones River, Snows Hill, Milton
[Vaught's Hill] , Greasy Creek and other skirmishes. He was shot in his right ankle near Dixon
Springs but continued to fight, not wanting to stay in camp, riding for miles with his wounded
ankle resting on his horse's neck. General Bromfield L. Ridley's 1906 published work, "Battles
And Sketches of the Army of Tennessee" writes of him on pages 531 through 535 titled, "One of
John Morgan's Scouts." In June 1903 a published article on him was in the "Hand-Book of Smith
County." The article says, " First Lieutenant Wm. L. Kemp is a Civil War veteran well known for
his courage. He fought with distinction at Shiloh and many other bloody battles. He served on
General Anderson's body guard and with Morgan's Fire Eaters. While under Morgan he distinguished
himself by plunging into the thick of the fight and bearing off his wounded captain; for this
daring act he was commissioned a captain to raise a body of scouts, but was captured before he
could raise the company. He is still full of fight and fidelity." The praise continues under
ESQ. W.L. KEMP, JR. " Sixty years ago W. L. Kemp saw the light of day in the good old county of
Smith, and since has been the recipient of many honors at the hands of his friends____the voters
of the county. He is engaged in business at Kempville, Tenn. where he has been for thirty-one
years He has been a member of the County Court for thirty-three years, notary public eighteen
years, practicing attorney fifteen years. One of the most prominent figures in the county, and
the moving spirit in all that is done in the section surrounding his home. He has been a member
of the Missionary Baptist Church eighteen years. Master Mason thirty-seven years, Royal Arch
Mason thirty-four years. Esq. Kemp is a Confederate veteran, having served in the "Lost Cause"
from 1861-1865. The martial spirit is by no means dead in his breast, as he but recently joined
the National Guard, being commissioned First Lieutenant in Company I, First Regiment. Jovial,
patriotic and enterprising, it is no wonder that he has made a name that will live when his
earthly labors are ended. The people whom he has done so much for will call him blessed."

More Photos of William Layton Kemp Jr. can be seen on this website: