Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-12-13

GENERlI. PHIL. kEARNY.
BY COLONEL HY. KYD DOUGLAS,
Formerly of Stonewall Jackson's staff

Formerly of Stonewall Jackson's Staff.
The short article in the Weekly Times
of November l5, was an interesting but,
as the writer modestly intimates, an in-
adequate tribute TO the memory OF Gen.
Kearuy. 1t is not creditable TO the sur
vivors Of the Army OF the Potomac, and
the countless military commentators OF
the North that among the "Annals OF
the War" there is no record OF the
career of that fearless and fiery soldier
who lost his arm in Mexico aud his life
at Chautilly. There was no brayer man
in either army than General hearny.
With a character full OF faults, his hero
ism and patriotism were broad enough
to cover them all and he was every inch
a soldier SO we on The other side re
garded him, and if lis body slept among
us we would place flowers on his grave
every time we decorated our own.
The story of his death is correctly
told. The battle Of Chantilly was fought
in a thunder storm. The briet conflict
was really surprise on both sides and
the fierce clements intensified the con
fusion of sound and fury. 1t was q
Leastlv, comfortleSS conflict in the rain
and the wood, without glory or any
ADEQUATE result. Dark clouds rode over
head like squadrons of horse, shook
their black names and discharged their
angry volleys upon the combatants be-
meath. The lightning iuterchauged con
tinuous flashes with those Of the mus
kerry, until guns aud ammunition were
wet and useless. Loud and repeated
peals Of thunder replied, superior TO the
roar of artillery, both made more deaf
ening by the echoes of forest and ravine
until night came down on the scene,
made it more internal for while and
then put a stop to that diabolical battle.
| remember it all well. There brave
men fought and fell, aud OF "the braycst
of the brave" was Phil. kearuy. Called
upon thrice or four times 10 surrender,
he answered in action as deiantIy as
Cambronne at Waterloo, and trying TO
force an escape, he fell. But it was
! fitting that his warlike and turbulent
soul should 90 out upon the whlrIwnd
and the storm which ragged around and
above him; it would have been inglorl-
Gus had he died in ordinary battle or in
| peace.
When his death was reported to Gen
eral jackson he directed me TO secure
his body, his sword and everything that
was about his person aud bring them to
I headquarters. They were brought and
I placed under cover and guard. General
Jackson had known General kearny IN
Mexico, where they fought, as it were,
side by side, and he knew his heroic
mould. In personal tastes and habits
no two men were more unlike than
Stonewall jackson and Phil kcarny,
the former silent, calm and prayoriul,
the othc. loud, impetuous and protane ;
and yet no one knew better the manII-
ness and soldierly greatness of the dead
warrior than the greater one who sur,
yiyed him for n little while and then
died like him, on the field Of honor.
They both had that touch Of martial ge-
MUS which made them akin.
The next morning, under General
Jacksons orders, the body was placed
in our headquarters ambulance, the uni,
form as well brushed OF lis stains as was
practicable. My recollection is that
General Kearny's sword, watch and
some other articles were also upon him
! was directed to take an escort, TO &c
through the lines under flag of truce
and deliver the remains to the officer
commanding in front, with an eXPrcs
sion of General JacksoD's regret at the
death of their general. This was done
The litclcss form Of General Kearny
was received by bis compatriots with 9
depth OF feeling which manifested then
sense Of their irreparable loss in his
death and their appreciation OF the deli
cate courtesy Of his renowned foe.
When / recall this and other like in
cideuts Of the war, | Try to believe what
| have read in Virgil Of the descent Of
Eueas into the other world and lis
communion with great heroes there; and
| wonder whether there is not a recon.
cilation beyond the Styx between foes
and warriors who fought each other,
admired each other, and cast as much
glory over The gloom OF war as Stone
wall Jackson and General Phil. kearny.
/ Phia. Times.