The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-10-14

gallant officer Ill the United States army!
This is Phil Kearny, who lost an arm
in Mexico!"
Kearnv's career in Mexico and after
ward in Europe showed that he was
born cavalryman. Yet he died, some
what ignobly, it must be confessed,
seeking stirring adventure as general
of infantry, and was alone inside of the
enemy's lines when killed. When a boy
at college, Kearny had with him war
plant consisting Of thousands OF leaden
soldiers, artillery train, spring guns,
elaborate field works and Notifications.
His leisure was spent in exercising Oh
mimic battlefelds One of the great
soldiers idolized by the boy warrior was
Tilly, German of the seventeenth
century, known as the "Old Devil
In after years Kearny was to bear a
nickname quite as significant, for while
reyerencingo Tilly and others OF the
scholarly type of commanders ne yearned
to be dashing hussar and perform
reckless cavalry charges. He early be-
came noted as a horse killer.
Although born to ample fortune,
Kearny put everything aside at the age
of 21 and took a second ieutenant's
commission in the famous First United
States dragons. That was in 1886,
dull time for American soldiers FOrtu-
nately tho young lieutenant was sent to
study cavalry tactics abroad. He served
through the French campaign in Algiers
as an aid on the staff of the Duke OF
Orleans He had his baptism of fire in
driving the fierce Arabs from the noun
tain of Mouzaia a celebrated "battle
above the clouds. -
In the Mexican war Kearny led
company of dragons, all picked men,
mounted Oh iron gray steeds. The
"grays' became famous under their
dashing leader. But the mountain
passes, the narshy fields, with their
deep wide bitches, in the early march
of the army toward the City Of Mexico
were unsuitaa to brilliant cavalry ma
neuvers. At t; dinner given the Ameri-
can officers in the Mexican city Of Pu
ebla, Kearny lamented the dullness of
the work assigned his troopers He said
that he would gladly give all arm to
win a brevet.
Chance was at last given the dragons
to relieve the monotony of outpost and
picket duty at the battle of Churubusco
bridge. The company of "grays'' was
attached to General Pillows division.
Pillows foot soldiers stormed and car
ried q fortified bridge head (Tete de
Pont) on the river. The Mexicans, who
were overthrown on the bridge head,
retreated along a single causeway lead
ing through the swamps to the City OF
Mexico. 1t was a disorderly rout, and
the Mexicans actually saved themselves
by blocking the road with jam Of in
fantry, cavalry, artillery and wagons
The victorious Americans were bafflec
in the attempt to pu1 sue but KearnJ
dashed across the bridge, followed by
his 100 dragons, and hung upon thu
heels and TANKS of the Mexicans unit
the road was cleared. Then, dashing ii
at the first opening, he rode over ant
through the panic stricken mob, saber
ing right and left. The terrified Mexi
cans were driven into the swamps OF
either hand.
Between Churubusco river and tn
gates Of the city was stretch Of roa
passed over by the dragons, for Kearn
only waited to hew a path for himsel
and tho column of tours at his heels
"On to the San Antonio gate!' was tn
cry, and, although the recall was sound
ed in the rear by Pillows bugles, Kea1
ny gave no heed. The rear files Of hi
dragons gradually dropped away unit
less than half dozen sets Of tours bel
to the chase behind their mad leader.
Santa Anna himself stood at the Sa
Antonio gate watching the sad plight
whirlwind of American sabers speedin
down the causeway, he ordered the ba
terry defending the gate to be rea6
with double load Of grape and caniste
On rode Kearny, plying saber and spu
and on rode the dragons, until a wiz
ditch brought the pursued and pursue
ito a halt. The flying Mexican office
were seen to dismount at the ditch, al
Kearny and his handful did the sam
just beyond the ditch was the first
the defenses of the gate, a lunette wi
two guns. Kearny pushed through t
crowd Of Mexicans in front Of him, Il
ing nall MS Announcements IN Ihe crus
but retained his sword. With three Of
GERS and dozen men he entered t
battery.
It was wild moment Santa An
was plying the lash to his followers
urge them to stand to their guns 7
artillerists in the battery deluged t
mob, friends and foes alike, with c.
lister. A gallant officer who had volt
teered to share the dangers of Kearn
charge Major Mills was killed, a
the other two officers, Captain MGR
nolds and Graham, were wounded. S
eral Of the troopers were killed, and