Mezue nkebi ahịrịokwu a: Mgbe e hiwere Mahadum Na-ahụ Maka Ọrụ Ugbo na New York (nke e mechara kpọbata na Mahadum Cornell) n'Ovid, New York, Kimball ghọrọ Prọfesọ nke Chemistry na Economic Geology. Na ntiwapụ nke American Civil War na 1861, president nke mahadum, Maj. M. R. Patrick a họpụtara Brigadier-General nke Ndị Ọrụ Afọ Ofufo; Kimball ghọrọ Brig. General Patrick's Chief of Staff, na ogo nke Captain. Ọ hụrụ ọrụ ubi n'okpuru Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell, ma nọrọ na Agha nke Abụọ nke Bull Run (Ọgọstụ 28-30, 1862);
Agha nke Chantilly (September 1, 1862); Agha nke Ugwu South (September 14, 1862); Agha nke Antietam (September 17, 1862); Agha nke Fredericksburg (December 11-15, 1862); Agha nke Chancellorsville (April 30-May 6, 1863); na Agha nke Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863). A họpụtara Brig. Gen. Patrick ka ọ bụrụ Provost Marshal nke ndị agha nke Potomac, na Captain Kimball so ya ebe ahụ, na-eje ozi na General Staff n'okpuru ndị ọchịagha George B. McClellan, Ambrose Burnside, Joseph Hooker, na George Meade n'usoro.