The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-09-25
Brevet Brig. Gen. TIL McKenny


Lee county's and the States most faithful,
capable and gallant sons. A soldier-whoss
valor is attested by his long service and hon
orable wounds-An officer, whose efficiency
and fitness for position is proven by difficult
tasks and varied trusts, ever discharged with
promptitude and SUCCESS Chevalier Bayard,
without fear and without reproach.h
Gen. T. /. McKenny is an old citizen Of
Lee county. He came here in 1s49. Prior
to that he had, during the Mexican war,
when but seventeen years old, entered the
army and served eighteen months in Mexico.
His superior officer was Sterling Price, whom
Gen. McKenny met later when Price was
Major General in the rebel service. Soon as
the rebel guns, turned upon Sumter, wakened
echoes that rang through the North, quicken
ing the people into q frenzy of patriotism,
and when Mr.. Lincoln issued his call for the
first rally Of the nations strong armed de-
tenders, Gen. McKenny responded at once,
and was first of our citizens to give his SER
vices to the country. He was a Democrat
His party associates were crying "no coer-
cion." Douglas had not yet spoken in de-
tense of the Administration and the Govern
ment. Before Douglas, Gen. McKenny ut
tered the now celebrated Douglas sentiment,
that during the war there could be but two
parties, patriots and traitors; that every
American had to be unequivocally for his
country or against it. Gen. McKenny didn't
hesitate. He commenced at once to rally
men and enlisted himself. His company
was the first one raised in this part of the
State, and it was expected to be the first
company in the First Regiment. Failing in
that, it became company "Ai of the Second
Iowa Infantry. Of this company General
MeKenny was LIST Lieutenant, Gen. Curtis
commanding the regiment. At IL o'clock of
the 18th of June, 1861, the regiment received
orders from Gen. Lyon to move across into
Missouri and take up position on the Hanni
bal & ST. 10. Railroad. By o'clock the
regiment was en- route for its destination. II
did good service on this road and had several
severe skirmishes. Was then transferred to
St. Louis. Subsequently went with FIRE.
mont feet to Birds Point, and from there
to Camp Jefferson, Kentucky. Was busted
with looking after JEFF. Thompson and other
rebels. At Camp Jefferson Gen. McKenny
was appointed Adjutant of the regiment
Thence the Second was transferred back to
St. Louis. While here Gen. Mckenny was
dispatched by Gen. Curtis, then commanding
the District of St. Louis, with the order of
Lieut.. Gen. Scott removing Gen. Fremont
from the command of the Department of
Missouri. Shortly thereafter he was made
Assistant Adjutant General on the staff of
| Gen. Strong. Was subsequently transferred
to Gen. Sherman's staff. From this position
he was, at his own application and that of
Gen. futile, transferred to his regiment.
This order was, however, Immediately coun-
fernandez, and he was ordered to join Gen.
Curtis at Rolla, then preparing to set out on
the expedition against Price, and by whom
he was at once placed on duty as Assistant
| Adjutant General. This march began Janu.
airy 26th, 1862. The first decisive battle was
that at Sugar Creek Here Gen. McKenny
was severely wounded. During cavalry
charge he stopped to relieve wounded SOL
der, while the rebels were pouring upon him
heavy fire from but few yards distance.
He was shot in the head. and as he fell for
ward two other bullets pierced his body.
Two of these balls he will bear about in his
bedy with him to his grave.
For gallant conduct at the battle of Sugar
Creek" $50 his prom otion reads), he was
made Major and aid-de-camp in the regular
army, on the staff of General Halleck Then
many skirmishes, and then came the hard
fought battle of Pea Ridge, upon the 7th and
sth Of March. Here General McKenny bore
himself with great gallantry, and was highly
complimented by his General officers.
The day after the battle closed he was dis
patched with flag -of-truce to Van Buren,.
Arkansas, to effect an exchange of prisoners.
He expected to meet the rebel General Van
Dorm, but, in his absence, met his former
commander, General Price.
General Mckenny was successful in his
mission, and brought off all our prisoners.
He continued with the expedition to Hele
ma hdNinsp accomplished d muTCn on which
had occurred fifty -four battles and skirmishes
While at Helena he commanded an expedi-
ton which went to Gaines Bluff and brought
away large amount of rebel property.
When General Curtis was assigned to the
command of the Department of the Missouri,
General McKenny was made Inspector Gen.
eral Of the Department: was so continued by
General Curtis in command of the Depart
ment of Kansas In the last case the Secre-
tary of War appointed him, also, Inspector
of Cavalry for the department.
General McKenny accompanied General
Curtis in the expedition after Price, in Octo-
Der and November, 1864, and participated in
the battles of the Little Blue, Big Blue.
Westport, the Usage and Newtonia. He was
brevetted Lieut. Colonel for gallant and meri.
torious conduct during the campaigns When
General Curtis was assigned to the command
of the Northwest, General McKenny was re.
tanned on the staff of General Dodge, but at
the instance of General Curtis was transferred
to his department and made Inspector Gen.
eral and Chief of Cavalry.
When this department was merged into that
of Missouri, General Pope transferred General