History of Penllyn, (Montgomery County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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John Clifford Pemberton, soldier, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 10, 1814; son of John and Rebecca (Clifford) Pemberton; grandson of Joseph and Mary (Galloway) Pemberton, and great, great-grandson of Israel Pemberton, merchant (1665-1754). He matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania in the class of 1834, but left in his junior year. He was graduated from the U.S. Military academy in 1837 and promoted in the army 2d lieutenant, 4th artillery, July 1, 1887. He served in the Florida war against the Seminole Indians, 1837-39, and on the northern frontier during the Canada border disturbances, 1840-41. He was promoted 1st lieutenant, March 19, 1842; was in garrison, 1842-45; in military occupation of Texas, 1845-46, and took part in nearly all the battles in the war with Mexico. He received the brevet of captain, Sept. 23, 1846, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the several conflicts at Monterey, and major, Sept. 8, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Molino del Rey. He was married in 1848 to Martha, daughter of William Henry Thompson of Norfolk, Va. He served as aide-de-camp to General Worth, 1846-49; in Florida against the Seminoles, 1849-50 and 1856-57; was promoted captain, 4th artillery, Sept. 16, 1850, and was detailed on frontier duty, 1857-61. He resigned his commission in the U.S. army, April 29, 1861, and was appointed lieutenant-colonel of Virginia state militia intrusted with organization of the artillery and cavalry. He was commissioned colonel, May 8, 1861, and major-general, Feb. 13, 1862. He was appointed to the command of the department of South Carolina and Georgia with headquarters at Charleston, and was relieved by Gen. G. T. Beauregard, Sept. 15, 1862. On Oct. 13, 1862, he was promoted lieutenant-general C.S.A., and on the 14th superseded Gen. Earl Van Dorn in command of the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, owing to the disastrous defeat of Van Dorn at Corinth. He established his headquarters at Jackson, Miss., where commanded the Confederate forces composed of 25,000 men. On March 24, 1862, when the commands of Pemberton and Bragg were placed under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, with headquarters at Chattanooga, Pemberton commanded the army in defence of Chickasaw Bluffs, Dec. 27, 1862-Jan. 3, 1863. He opposed General Grant's army at Baker's Creek, May 16, 1863, and after four hours of hard fighting fell back across the Big Black River to Vicksburg, May 19, 1863. The siege of Vicksburg lasted till July 4, 1863, when owing to a scarcity of ammunition and provisions, and having lost all hope of being re-enforced by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, Pemberton surrendered his entire army of 29,491 officers, soldiers and non-combatants. He was paroled, returned to Richmond, and resigned his commission in the Confederate States army, but was re-appointed inspector of ordnance with the rank of colonel. After the war he retired to Warrenton, Va., and in 1876 moved to Perth Amboy, N.J., and subsequently to Philadelphia, Pa. He is the author of: The Terms of Surrender in "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War," Vol. Ill. He died at Penllyn, Pa., July 13, 1881.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Penllyn, (Montgomery County) Pennsylvania

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