J. Howard Kitching

J. Howard Kitching
Sketch after his death
Born	(1838-07-16)July 16, 1838 New York City, New York
Died	January 11, 1865(1865-01-11) (aged 26) Dobbs Ferry, New York
Buried	Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1861–1864
Rank	Colonel Brevet Brigadier General
Unit	2nd New York Artillery
Commands held	6th New York Heavy Artillery Kitching's Heavy Artillery Brigade
Battles/wars	American Civil War Battle of the Wilderness Battle of Spotsylvania Battle of Cold Harbor Second Battle of Petersburg Battle of Fort Stevens Battle of Cedar Creek
Spouse(s)	Harriet Brittan Ripley
Other work	merchant

American Civil War

John Howard Kitching (July 16, 1838 – January 10 or 11, 1865), often referred to as J. Howard Kitching, was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He served in the cavalry, artillery and infantry in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Shenandoah. He received a posthumous promotion to brevet brigadier general after being mortally wounded at the Battle of Cedar Creek.

Kitching was born July 16, 1838 in New York City (some sources say 1840). His father was merchant John Benjamin Kitching (1818–1887) and mother was Maria Bradner. His father, born in England, was one of the first investors in technology such as the ships of John Ericsson, the telegraph and the transatlantic telegraph cable.

He married Harriet Brittan Ripley (a descendant of the New England Dwight family) on July 18, 1860. They had two children: John Howard Kitching, Jr. born September 27, 1861, and Edith Howard Kitching born November 13, 1864.

At the outbreak of the war, Kitching volunteered in the New York cavalry but was soon made a captain in the 2nd New York Artillery. In September 1862 he became lieutenant colonel of the 135th New York Infantry which was re-designated the 6th New York Heavy Artillery (nicknamed the Anthony Wayne Guard) a few weeks later. Kitching spent most of the war up to this point in garrison duty along the upper Potomac River. The regiment's colonel, William H. Morris, was promoted to brigadier general in November 1862 and on April 26, 1863 Kitching was appointed colonel. His regiment joined the Army of the Potomac during the final stages of the Gettysburg Campaign following the battle of Gettysburg. During the Fall of 1863 and Winter 1864 Kitching briefly commanded the Army of the Potomac's ammunition train and artillery reserve.