General Kershaw resumed the profession of law in Camden immediately upon his return, and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice for many years, until called to serve his State as Circuit Judge in 1877, when the government was wrested from the hands of the Republicans.  He took an active part in politics, having been elected to the State Senate in the fall of 1865.  He ran for Congress from his district in 1874, but was counted out, as it was believed, at the election.  He was also summoned to Columbia by Governor Hampton after his election in 1876, and rendered important service in securing the peaceable outcome of that most trying struggle.  Upon the convening of the Legislature, he was at once elected Judge of the Fifth Circuit, a position which he held with distinguished honor for sixteen years, rendering it to Judge Ernest Gary in June, 1893, on which occasion there was tendered him a farewell probably unique in the judicial history of the State, by eminent representatives of the Bar of his Circuit.  With impaired health, but with unwavering faith and carefulness that no adversity diminished, he once more returned to the practice of his profession.  It was a gallant effort in the face of tremendous odds, but the splendid health that he had enjoyed for many years had been undermined slowly and insidiously by disease incident to a life that had ever borne the burdens of others, and that had spent itself freely and unselfishly for his country and his fellowman, and it was evident to all that his days were numbered.  Devoted friends, the names of many of whom are unknown to me, offered him pecuniary help at this trying juncture, and these the writer would wish to hold, as he would have wished, “in everlasting remembrance.”  In his message to the General Assembly that year, 1893, Governor B.R.  Tillman proposed him as the proper person to collect the records of the services of South Carolina soldiers in the Civil War, and to prepare suitable historical introduction to the volume.  The Legislature promptly, and I believe unanimously, endorsed the nomination and made an appropriation for the work.  To this he gave himself during the two succeeding mouths, collecting data, and even preparing in part the proposed introduction.  But growing infirmities compelled him to lay it down, and in the latter part of March, 1894, he became alarmingly ill.  All was done for his relief that the most competent skill and gentle care could do, but to no avail, and in the night of April 12th, just before midnight, be breathed his last.  Among his last words to his son were these, spoken when he was perfectly conscious of what was before him:  “My son, I have no doubts and no fears.”  On the occasion of his funeral there was a general outpouring of people from the town and vicinity for many miles, who sincerely mourned the departure of their friend.  The State was represented by the Governor and seven members of his official family.  On the modest monument that marks his last resting place is inscribed his name and the date of his birth and death.  On the base the legend runs:  “I have fought a good fight; I have kept the faith.”