Manning M. Kimmel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manning Marius Kimmel
|
|
|---|---|
Kimmel in the late 1850s
|
|
| Born | October 25, 1832 Apple Creek, Missouri |
| Died | February 27, 1916 (aged 83) Henderson, Kentucky |
| Allegiance |  United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service |
|
| Rank |  1st Lieutenant (USA) Major (CSA) |
| Battles/wars | |
Manning Marius Kimmel (born October 25, 1832 – died February 27, 1916) was a military officer. He served in the United States Army and later the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He attended the West Point from 1853 to 1857. Kimmel was one of only four West Point graduates who fought for both sides in the Civil War. He was the father of Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, who led the United States Pacific Fleet during the Attack on Pearl Harbor.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Manning Kimmel was born on October 25, 1832. His birthplace was Apple Creek, Missouri, in Perry County, Missouri. He was the second child of Joseph Singleton Husband Kimmel and Caroline Monica Kimmel. His father was a successful merchant and served on the St. Louis City Council. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was born.
Kimmel first went to Princeton University. Family stories say he was asked to leave in his third year. This happened because he organized a protest meeting. The protest was against a rule about students using a local billiard hall. After leaving Princeton, Kimmel got a chance to attend the United States Military Academy. He joined West Point on July 1, 1853. He graduated four years later, on July 1, 1857. He was ranked 22nd in his class of 38 cadets.
Military Career
Serving on the Frontier
After graduating, Kimmel became a Second Lieutenant. He was sent to the Cavalry School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In 1858, he became a full Second Lieutenant. He joined the 2nd Cavalry regiment in Texas. For the next two years, Kimmel served on the frontier. He fought against the Comanche tribe and Mexican outlaws. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on April 1, 1861.
He was stationed at different camps, like Camp Radziminski and Camp Cooper. He took part in the Wichita Expedition against the Comanches. In 1859, he led a group of soldiers in the Battle of Crooked Creek. This battle was against Comanche leader Buffalo Hump.
From 1859 to 1860, Kimmel was at Fort Inge. In 1860, his regiment marched to Brownsville, Texas. From there, they fought against Mexican guerrillas. These guerrillas were led by Juan Cortina in the Cortina Troubles. Kimmel and future Union General George Stoneman led two companies. They joined Rip Ford's Texas Rangers. They went into Mexico in April 1860. This was because Mexico was thought to be helping Cortina.
The Civil War
When the Civil War began, Kimmel's regiment moved east. They went to defend the capital city. They fought in the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. The Union Army lost this battle. Kimmel was praised for his brave actions during the fight.
After the battle, Kimmel's regiment went back to Washington. On August 14, he resigned from the Union Army. He then joined the Confederate Army as a Major. This made him one of only four West Point graduates to fight for both sides. The others were William T. Magruder, Donald C. Stith, and Richard K. Meade.
Kimmel became an adjutant-general for Brigadier-General Benjamin McCulloch. He served with McCulloch until the general was killed. This happened on March 7, 1862, at the Battle of Pea Ridge. After that, Kimmel became an assistant adjutant-general. He worked for Major General Earl Van Dorn. Van Dorn was killed on May 7, 1863. Kimmel then briefly served as the Confederate adjutant-general of Missouri. Later, he became an acting assistant and inspector-general. He served on Major General John Magruder's staff until the war ended.
Later Life
After the Civil War, many Confederate soldiers feared punishment. Kimmel was one of them. He rode his horse from Houston to Mexico City. In Mexico, he became a civil engineer. He worked on building the railroad connecting Mexico City and Vera Cruz. He returned to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in 1866. While in Mexico, he also worked as a mercenary for Maximilian I. This was mentioned in letters he wrote to his friend Fitzhugh Lee.
On December 28, 1868, Kimmel married Sibbella Lambert. In 1872, they moved to Henderson, Kentucky. There, he worked as a civil engineer and superintendent. He was employed by the Saint Bernard Mining Company at St. Charles. Manning and Sibbella had seven children. One of their children was Husband E. Kimmel (born 1882). Husband E. Kimmel later became an admiral. He commanded the United States Pacific Fleet during the Pearl Harbor attack in World War II.
Manning Kimmel worked as a civil engineer until 1884. He then resigned from the company. From 1885, he worked as a coal dealer and real estate agent. He lived in Henderson for the rest of his life. He served on the city's school board and city council. Manning Kimmel died at his home on February 27, 1916. He was 83 years old. He was buried in Fernwood Cemetery in Henderson. A historical marker was later placed at his home in Henderson.
Images for kids
-
Kimmel in the late 1850s
-
Kimmel, photographed in 1910
