Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1898-01-17


was killed by
Stonewall Jackson's soldiers in 1862,
jackson exclaimed TO his men: "Boys
do you know you have shot the most
gallant officer in the United states army,
This is Phil Kearny, who lost au arm
in Mexicor'
Kearny's career in Mexico and after.
ward in Europe showed that he was a
born cavalryman. Yet he died, some.
what ignobly, it must be confessed
seeking stirring adventure rs general
Of infantry, and was alone inside uf IN,
enemy's lines when killed Wh.n h.,
at college, Kcarny had with him n va
plant consisting of thousands of lrrdn
soldiers, artillery train, spring guu.
elaborate field works and fortifcatinn.
His leisure was spent in exercising ou
mimic battlefields. One of the great
soldiers idolized by the boy warrior was
Tilly, German Of the seventeenth
century, known as the "Old Devil O.
In aft1r years Kearny was to bear %
nickname quite rs significant, for while
reverencing Tilly and others of tn
scholarly type Of commanders be ycuue
to be a dashing hussar and perform,
reckless cavalry charges. lie early be
came noted as a horse killrr
Although born 20 ample fortune
Kearny put everything aside nc the AZ.
Of 2l and took u second iicutenarGg
commission in tho famous First U,ntcd
States dragons. That WIS in 1896,
dull time for AInoricau sol .i2rs Tot..
nately tho young lioutou Mt was r-.t
study cavalry tactics sn"'ad t.a
through tho French campaign in g. ....
as an aid on the staff of tAa u.
Orleans. He had his baptism of l.a A..
driving the fierce Arabs fgvm the p.1uu
tain of Mouzaia, o celebrated "ba.tlo
above the clouds" "
In the Mexican war Kearny led
of dragons, all picked men,
on iron gray steeds The
'grays" became famous under their
lashing leader. But the mountain
passes, the marshy fields, with thei,
ieep wide bitches, in the early march
If tho army toward the City OF Mexico
we're unsuited to brilliant cavalry mt
leuvers. At dinner given the Ameri.
an officers in the Mexican city of Pu-
'bla, Kearny lamented the dullncss Of
he work assigned his troopers. lie said
hat he would gladly give an arm 10
win brevet.
Chance was at last given the dragoous
% relieve the monotony Of outpost ,-.
,icket duty at tho battle Of ChuruDu
ridge. Tho company Of "grays y,
Ittached to General Pillows divlm,L
Pillows foot soldiers stormed ana Co.,.
led fortified bridge head (Iete Ho |
'ont) on the river. The Mexicans.
we're overthrown on the bridgN - |
along single causeway exc
ng through the swalnps to the City Of |
lexico 1t was disorderly rout, and |
he MeXicans actually saved thcmselyes |
y blocking tho road with jam Of in
antry, cavalry, artillery ana wagons |
The victorious Americans We're b. ed |
N the attompt to pursue, but lE,a.uy |
lashed across the bridge, followed by
lis 100 dragons, and hung upon th'
Ieels and flanks of the MoXiCaus until |
he road was cleared Then, dashirg In
t the first opening, he rode over aud
Trough tho panic stricken mob, saber-
ng right and left The terrified Mexi-
ans were driven into the swamps on
ither hand.
Between Churubusco river and the
ates of the city was q stretch of road
Ho miles in length. 1t was quickly
assed over by the dragoons, for Kearny
My waited to hew path for himself
nd the column Of fours ut his heels
On to tho San Antonio gate!' was the
ry, and, although the recall was sound.
d in tho rear by Pillows bugles, Kear-
y gave no heed. The rear files Of his
ragoons gradually dropped away until
ess than half dozen sets OF tours held
the chase behind their mad leader.
Santa Anna himself stood at the San
.ntonio gate watching the sad p light of
is defeated army. Seeing the littlo
'hirlwind of American sabers speeding
own the causeway, he ordered the bat
'ry defending the gate to be- ready
nth double load Of grape and canister
m rode Kearny, plying saber and spur
nd on rode the dragons, until wide
itch brought the pursued and pursuers
halt. The flying Mexican officers
'ere seen to dismount at the ditch, and
.earny and his handful did the same.
ust beyond the ditch was the first of
le defcnses Of the gate, lunette with
yo guns. Kearny pushed through the
rowd Of Mexicans in front of him, los.
lg half his accouterments in the crush,
ut retained his sword With three Off
BIS and dozen men he entered the
artery.
1t was wild moment. Santa Anna
as plying the lash to his followers to