Matthew C. Kempsey
Written as “Colonel Dempsey”, “Dempsey”, “The Colonel”Probably
Matthew C. Kempsey, 30, enrolled at Albany and was mustered in as chaplain of the 176th New York, the brothers’ regiment, on December 18, 1862. He was discharged on October 16, 1863 (176th roster, p. 958; NPS Soldiers and Sailors). He was then colonel of the regiment James joined, the 16th Corps d’Afrique, which became the 87th U.S. Colored Infantry (NPS Soldiers and Sailors, noting “See also 176 N.Y. Vols”). Before the war he was a Williamsburgh clergyman: the city directory lists “Kempsey M. C. (Rev.)” on Bushwick Avenue in the Eastern District (1862 Brooklyn City Directory). He led his regiment on the expedition that took Brownsville, Texas, in November 1863 (Battle of Brownsville).
On October 19, 1863, James wrote that “the Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel were much pleased” he had decided to stay, and that “the Colonel was mustered in yesterday” (James, October 19, 1863).
James wrote in January 1864 that “the charges against Colonel Dempsey were partially sustained, his sentence was two months, pay stopped and a reprimand from General Dana. I think it will make a better Officer of him” (James, January 18, 1864). In April, “The Colonel has gone to New Orleans on a leave of absence, he may never get back… although he has treated me well enough since the Court Marshal, still he is not fit for a Colonel” (James, April 13, 1864). By June, “Dempsey was not likely to come back… He has charge of some plantation I believe; that is when he is not drunk or gambling” (James, June 26, 1864).
The transcription spells the name “Dempsey”. No officer of that name is listed for the regiment, and its colonel was Kempsey, so the letters’ Colonel Dempsey is probably Kempsey. The two names differ only in their first letter.