The Portland daily press., 1862-09-16
Gen. Philip Kearney.

lowing sketch of the lamented Gen. Kearney:
The death of Gen. Kearney is, at this time,
great military calamity. He was precisely
of that class Of officers we now most want
He was distinguished for enterprise and dash
30 much SO, indeed, that his qualities as STRAIT
egist and tactician were almost overlooked
But they who knew him intimately will agree
that If there was man among our Generals
that possessed military genius, that man was
Phillip Keamey.
While the whole country will necessarily
feel the loss of this distinguished officer, his
memory belongs peculiarly to New York aud
New Jersey. New York city was his birth
place. His mother was the daughter of John
Watts, the founder of the Leake and Watts
Orphan House. His father, Phillip Kearney,
ESQ.,, was OF the old Jersey family of that
name. Their homestead is in the outskirts of
Newark, Immediately opposite TO which Gen.
Kearney himself purchased beautiful estate,
and erecteda splendid mansion, which his fam
lily now occupy. And though appointed Brig
adler General from New Jersey he was one Of
those named to the President for that position
by the Governor of New York
He was AZ years of age. He was educat-
ed at Columbia College - studied law-but
soon entered the army as Lieutenant of Dra-
cessfully, fighting the Indians on the frontier,
under the command, mainly, of his uncle, the
late Stephen w. Kearney. His distinction as
cavalry officer was such that he was sent
abroad by our Government, about the year
1889, to study and report upon the French
cavalry tactics. He entered the Polytechnic
school, and soon after Joined the First Chas-
seurs d'Afrique, as a volunteer, and, with that
regiment, fought through the Algerine war
His intrepidity and skill gained him exalted
reputation, and the distinction of the cross of
the Legion of Honor. He was greatly admired
and valued by his commander and associates
Returning home, he passed, with Gen. Scott,
through all his battles in Mexico. His squad
rons Of cavalry formed Gen. Scott's body
guard. They were splendid corps, the pride
of the army, and were greatly distinguished
He was then Captain, but was brevctted Ma
jOr for gallant conduct at Contreras and Cher
ubusco, and especially for his brilliant charge
at the San Antonio gate of Mexico where he
lost his left arm.
After the Mexican war, Major Kearney was
again detailed to duty upon the Indian from
tier, and confined In the active duties of his
profession till 1851, when, tired of compare
tive inaction, and possessed of competent
fortune, he resigned, and went to Europe
While there the Crimean war occurred. of
which he was a close and critical observer
Later than this, took place the Italian cam
paign. In this Major Kearney volunteered as
one of the staff of Marshal Maurice-was pres
ent at Magenta and Solferino, and conducted
himself with such gallantry and skill that Louis
Napoleon conferred on him the riband and
cross of the Legion d'Honeur.
No sooner had Sumter fallen than Major
Kearney hastened to volunteer in defence of
the Union. Used to life abroad, he felt the
value Of nationality, and his devotion to the
Union was not only decided, but il excluded
every other thought. He Immediately return
ed home and offered his services to Gen. Scott
1~~..al - -
sentati0ns were made to the government in
his favor. The industry and energy Of some
Jerseymen who desired competent leader for
their First brigade, together with the defeat at
Bull Run, overmastered want of political
strength, and he received commission as brig
adler.
Taking four thousand raw, halfofiicered re-
cruits he Immediately sought the outpost, and
thenceforward wherever the advance was there
were Kearney and his forces. His vigilance
was sleepless. He trusted no subordinate
He would know for himself everything was
right-this essential incident of greatness in
any profession. His first duty when ordered
to new positions was his leading characters
tic, to ride the whole country through, learn
ing every road. He met his death through,
this vigilance. On Monday las, at 1-2 p. NJ,
word came that the enemy were stealing in our
rear, endeavoring to cut us off from Washing
ton. Reno's division was ordered to attack
them. Kearney's had been fighting all the
while before, but it was nevertheless ordered
to support Keno. The firing became heavy.
Gen. Kearney was apprised by Gen. Birney
that Reno's troops had given way upon his
left, and that there was a gap between their
fanks which the enemy were occupying. He
rode forward TO see for himself if it could be
SO, telling his orderly and aids to keep back
that he might be unnoticed. He eftthem and
did not return. They supposed him safe but
prisoner. But the next morning Gen. Lee sent
in flag of truce with his body
He was not only thus vigilant, but as ener-
getic in action as any man in the army. The
"indomitable" Kearney-the "hero'-the subj
quitous"-these were the phrases In which he
was continually spoken OF. He has passed
through at least twelve engagements during
this war. Was there an advance? He led it.
er he fought throughout the whole war, victo-
ryw was with him. His division never was beat
en-. Such record belongs to no one else.
His energy and selfexposure, strange to say.
gave him false reputation. By the blaze of
his constantly lauded gallantry, his greater tai
ents were concealed. Dash has been below
par with the directors of our armies. Men
talked complacently of rashness which it was
lnconvenient to initiate. He exposed himself
cody, with full knowledge of all the circum-
stances, on principle, thinking it necessary or
rlght In order to insprit his troops, and be ac-
quired their confidence beyond any other gen.
eraL He was compelled to forbid their cheers.
When ne rode to the rear to execute the move
ment in which he fell, the whole army as he
passed, cheered him. Men would fight for him
careless of being outnumbered.