Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-11-11
THE LATE GEN. KEARNEY.

Was born in Newark, New Jersey, about
the year 1892, and was pursuing his studies
at Columbia College, New York, when the
war of 1912 broke out. He Immediately
left the institution, and entered the army as
First-Lieutenant Of the thirteenth infantry,
then commanded by Wool Under this he
roic leader he marched to the Canada from
tier; fought at Queenstown heights; and was
taken prisoner with Scott and other officers. |
Being soon after exchanged, he rejoined his |
old regiment, and served through the war |
with credit.
On the conclusion Of peace, Kearney re-
manned in the army. The next twenty years
of his life were spent chiefly a, frontier posts
but the time was not wasted, for Kearney be-
ing close student, was daily perfecting him
self in the knowledge of his profession He
soon acquired the reputation of being one of
the most rigid diciplinarians and best tac'i.
clans in the service. His GOODNESS in difficult
emergencies passed into proverb. No man
could be drawer when danger was abroad.
His rise was slow, however, the result Of
long peace. A Major in 1924, he became
Lieutenant-C Colonel in 1893, and full Colonel
in 1885, When the first regiment of dragons
was organized in 1893, he was charged with
| its discipline, a task which he executed in
the ablest manner; indeed, the cavalry arm
of the service may be considered as indebted
to Kearney for all that it is. He prepared a
system of tactics, instructed the officers, and
inspired the corps with his own heroism.
| In 1889, when frontier war was anticpa-
ted. Kearney was ordered to Fort Wayne, to
overawe the Cherokees. He had now under
his command, for the first time, full regi-
ment of ten com panes. He subsequently
made many long marches though the various
Indian territories, acquiring fund of valua-
bic information for the government, and dis
seminating wholesome respect for the flag
which he represented. He had, during the
years 1885 and 1886, penetrated to the head
of the Mississippi, aud TO the Rocky Noun.
taius, on which occasions, also, he had left
strong impression among the savages, of the
power and energy of the United States. The
Indians called him the :!horse-chief of the
long knives These journeys materially as
sisted to improved the condition and dsci-
pie of his dragons.
When the war with Mexico began, the
President determined to send an expedition
against New Mexico and California, and
Kealney was selected to command the troops
raised for this enterprise. Accordingly, he
assembled his forces, principally consisting
of volunteers, at Fort Leavcuwor,h, in June,
1916, and on the 3Oth of that month, began
his march for Santa Fe at the head of about
sixteen hundred men. For six weeks he tra-
versed the vast wilderness which stretches
between the last civilized settlement OIL the
Missouri, and the first one similar character
in New Mexico. He reached his destination
in August, without opposition. Having for
mally taken possession of Santa Fe; he pro-
ceeded to declare New Mexico annexed to
the United States. He next drew upa form
of government for it, and superintended the
election of a Governor and proper auth critics
He now considered his work in this province
finished, and prepared 10 advance on Cali.
fornia, pursuant to his instructions, only wait
ing for the arrival of Colonel Price from For,
, Leavenwor,h, with the thousand volunteers
f whom Kearney had left behind in his eager
r ness to advance. At last, on the 25h Of
September, he moved from Santa Fe for Cali
fornia, with about four hundred dragons, bu
after having marched one hundred and seven
, ty.fve miles, he met an express, with the
g news of Fremont's conquest of that country
4 He now sent back mos, of his little army, re
tanning only one hundred dragons as an es
g cort.
A When carney reached the river Gila, ii
. California, he learned that the province ha.
A revolted, and that the Americans had beer
. expelled from Los Angeles, the principal cit.
n in the south. On the I'd of December he ar
J.. rived at the first settlement in California
where the news of the insurreclion was con
r frmed. -Four days afterwards, he fell in will
n a body of the enemy, somewhat superior IL
2 numbers, whom after sharp action, he to
i tally routed. In this skirmish, Kearney wa
!. wounded severely, and would have beer
killed, but for Lieutenant Emory, who sho
!. his antagonist Just as he was about to max,
d vanceJ about nine miles, when, being assail
Il ed by the Caliornians again, he seized
n neghboring hill, and held it until Commo
dore Stockton, four days after, sent him ;
IS reinforcement of seventy-five marines, an'
r. one hundred seamen. In these two skir
d mishes Kearney fought under great advan
n tages, his men being mounted on broker
10 down mules, while the enemy had superl
horses. Two days after he was succeeded
IS Keaney reached San Diego, where he foun,
!. Commodore Stockton.
# Having ascertained that the insurgent
N were still at Los Angeles, where they mum
!. bered seven hundred, under the command o
!, General Flores, the two American leader
-e resolved to march, with their combined for
e ces, and dislodge him, Accordingly, witt
$, about seven hundred men, and six pieces O
ID artillery, they left San Diego, and proceeds