The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-09-17
From the New York oonmsrcat


On Monday night The brave and bril-
liant General Philip Kearney fell by the
hands Of an enemy he had often con-
frontcd, and by whom his heroic life had
been often sought. The announcement
Of his death was made on Wednesday
morning, and a general feeling of sorrow
was occasiOned, tor the people had learned
to love one who held his life so cheaply,
and who was everywhere the gallant sol-
der. Before noon, however we learned
directly from General Kcarncy's family
that a dispatch from r member of his
staff stated that he was wounded and a
prisoner This mistake probably arose
from the peculiar manner Of the Generals
disappearance
General hcarney was a native of New
York. and was about lorty-eight years of
age His family have resided in New
Jersey since 1916, when his great grand
mother settled in Monmouth county. His
father died about 1849, leaving but two
children-General Kesrncy and Susan
Watts, wife of Major Alexander Macomb,
late of the United States army. Mrs
MacOmb died some years since. General
Kearney's grandfather was the Hon. John
Watts, founder Of the Leke and Watts
orphan house in this city, at whose in
stance he entered the profession OF the
law.
He was appointed in 1887 an officer Of
dragons. In the Mexican war he was
sent abroad 70 inspect the armies Of Eu-
rope. During the Mexican war, Kear-
ncy's cavalry squadron was the pride of
the service, and he became known for his
! dashing qualities as our "Murat' At
the very gates of the city of Mexico his
left arm was carried away by n cannon
ball. For his gallantry in Mexico, Gen.
| Kearney received the highest cOmmcnda-
tons After the war he travelled awhile,
and during his stay abroad, took a hand
| in the Algerine war, and was aid de
camp at Solicripo TO a French Marshal
| He resigned his commission in our army
in 1851.
When the present war broke out he
| was in France. lie returned az once.
and offered his services to the country.
which created him a Brigadier- General
Of volunteers on the 18th of MAY, 1861.
II was soon suggested that lac have a di-
vision, but he had no time 10 Good his
heels in the anic-chambcrs of those in
power and The stars passed 10 other
shoulders. 4 few weeks since, however.
he received the commission Of a Major
General, having fairly won it on the
bloody fields Of williamsburg, Fair Oaks,
White Oak Swamp Cross Roads, and
Malvern ILL., and having proved his title
10 ii by his more recent achievements on
| the Potomac
In many Of the celebrated actions OF
This war Gen. kcarney has been cspcci-
ally conspicuous and distinguished. On
the Peninsula, his splendid division was
in almost every fight, and everywhere
the fighting Philip kcauey, with his
single arm was "a terror 10 the foe. lie
required all Of his division TO wear 3 bill
Of red flannel in their caps, so that they
might be known and that he might know
them. He always led his men in per-
son, and never allowed the front Of the
battle TO get much ahead Of him His
soldiers have a thousand stories 10 tell
of his bravery and Of the incessant cf-
forts of the enemy to take the life of one
so dreaded az the single armed General
whose voice rang out in the roar Of BAT
tie, and who always sought the thickes
OF the fray.
Rebel prisoners always desired TO Sc,
him, for in the roar Of battle he had of
ten passed so swiftly before their aston.
ished eyes, and had so often laughed a
the shots OF their best men, that he seem
ed TO combine at once the character OF
invulnorability and uhiquity.
A splendid officer, fighting General
brave soldier a patriotic citizen--s al
these qualities united ia Philip Kearney
who has thus set the seal Of his life al
his attcstation OF the incstimable yaluu
Of the cause for which he struggled an,
fell. Thousands of devoted men vii
strive a. avcngc his death upon The crue
foe.