The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-06-13
GEN. PHILIP KEARNEY.
His Solicitude for the Welfare of His Men
and His Bravery in Battle Described by
Colonel Elijah Walker.

nv tlliS NuCIlOlldl cVooVh SiiSAO
will be peculiar interest in the follow
ing sketch of General Philip kearney,
which has been prepared for the Somer-
vile Journal readers by Colonel Elijah
Walker, one of the oldest members of
Kinsley post. colonel Walker was
born in Union, Knox county, Me-, July
2, 1878, and was colonel of the Fourth
Maine regiment, calamity leading that
command at the battle of Gettysburg,
where he played most important part.
Says Colonel Walker
1t was in the latter part of April, 1862,
when he took command of the first divi-
sion of the Third Corps, that l made the
acquaintance OF General Philip kearney.
At that time this division was compos-
ed OF three brigadeS, organized as fol
lows: the First under General Charles
ID. Jameson, comprising the Fifty
seventh, SiXtv-third. and One Hundred
and Fifth Pennsylvania and Eighty
seventh New York regiments; the Sec
ond, General D. B. Brney, made up of
the Thirty-eighth and Fortieth New
OIh, anu 1lllNl dIlll Vbllll
and the Third. General H. G. Berry,
formed by the Second. Third. and Fifth
Michigan and Thirty-seventh \ eW Y ork.
There were also included, Thompson's
[ nited States Battery of six Napoleon
guns and Beans New Jersey and Ran
dolph's Rhode Island batteries, each
with four ten-pound Parrots and two
NapoleOnS. This division had been
commanded by General Hamilton, a
true soldier and gentleman, but on ac-
count of a misunderstanding in which
he became involved with the army COM
mander, General Hamilton was relieved
from duty, and General kearney was
summoned from McDowell'S corps and
the command of a brigade of New
Jersey troops, to take the vacant and
more responsible post.
Under it's new leader, the division
first encountered the enemy near
Williamsburg, Va. May ), 1862. On
this occasion General kearney was kept
at the rear for much longer time than
he thought reasonable, but no sooner
had restraint been removed, than the
troops advanced rapidly and arrived on
the battlefield just in time to save Cen
eral Hookers division from defeat.
General kearney had preceded his men,
and having acquired good idea of the
situation was thereby enabled to direct
his force straight to the point where it
would be most effective. Three regl-
ments one-fourth of the division) were
taken from him and sent to the left. to
make an attack under General Emery,
which proceeding somewhat annoyed
General kearney, as he never was at a
loss to find work for his own soldiers.
The movement by General Emery was
intended as a feint and proved failure.
Before sunrise the next morning |
found General kearney where he had
remained throughout the night, covered
with mud and shivering with cold, but
as eager as ever to meet the Rebels.
General Birney had kept well to the
rear the day before, and the Third and
Fourth Maine having been detached,
had not been under close fire.
HIS GREAT FORESIGHT.
General kearney was anxious to
give us a chance. and ordered us to
move and attack the enemy at once, at
the same time admonishing our brigade
commander to remain with us and not
skulk, as he had done the day before.
We advanced without opposition, the
enemy having retired. On arriving at
the open field l saw Generals HeintZel-
man. kearney, Jameson and Berry far
III the van, and by order of General
kearney, the Fourth Maine advanced
and took possession of Fort Magruder,
leaving our brigade commander lost in
the woods, as he claimed, out of which
he did not find his way for an hour
after our flag was raised over the fort
AS we went ON, day after day, we
learned more about our division com
mander, who was constantly on the
alert to see that his troops had as many
and good supplies and creature COM
forts as were obtainable: and his vigil
ance in guarding against a surprise by
the enemy was never relaxed. Early on
the morning of May 80 received an or
der to report for division officer of the
day. The general gave me special in
we'll posted and attending strictly to
duty. l visited the picket line, found
everything in fair condition, made
few corrections, and at noon went back
to camp. At p. while returning to
the outpost, | met the general and
three members of his staff. He told
ME they had been to the outpost and
found the picket line in good condition,
and requested that | remain at the
front during the night
But" said he, ''Casey's pickets are
careless ard not attending to duty. He
is too near to his outpost and will be
surprised and slaughtered in his quar-
tiers without having chance to make
any resistances.'
Here the general INDUCED in some
very emphatic, but under the circum-
stances entirely just;fable, remarks
on the lack of discretion he had dis
covered, and he then left me with these
words of adjuration and prophecy
Look well to the picket line Casey
will be surprised
Upon my return to camp the next
morning, I found the division had
moved a mile, and were about the same
distance in rear of Casey's main line.
Our general was so impressed with the
idea that an advance of the enemy was
to be made, that at 10 A. NJ. he again
moved his division to a position about
third of mile to the rear of Casey's
troops. We had arrived at the point
designated, some tents had been pitch
ed and all hands were preparing for the
MONDAY meal, when rapid and continu-
Gus firing was heard at the front. Gen
eral Kearney was the first officer | saw
mounted. and he went dashing along III
front of his command, giving orders
and inspiriting his men with a vehe-