The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-06-13

arrest, and Colonel Ward OF the Ihlfty-
eighth New York was in command. The
brigade, under our new commander, dl-
rected by General Kearney, did some
good fighting, driving the Rebels con-
siderable distance. By twelve O'Clock
the enemy were driven back along the
entire line and had given up the fight,
leaving their dead and many of their
wounded in our hands. To General
Philip kearney, as much as to any other
officer, | consider the credit for this vic
tory due.
THE kEARNEY BADGE.
During severe engagements, like those
at Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, some
commands become broken, and 1t may
be days before the scattered members
and detachments rejoin the organlZa-
tions to which they belong. This SO
ANNOYED General kearney that he issued
an order requiring all his officers to
wear a piece of red cloth, an inch and a
half square. on the side of their hats or
caps. and the men to wear the same on
the tops of their caps, so that he could
recognize the members of his division
whenever and wherever he met them.
Thus originated the famous 'kearney
badge so highly priced as an emblem
of honor by all who have been and are
entitled to wear it.
The business and magnanlmlty OF our
beloved division commander was wen
illustrated by the following incident:
After the battle of Fair Oaks my sur
geon told me that he had III his possess
sion the sword of Colonel Breton OF
the Sixth South Carolina regiment, ana
that the colonel's watch was being cared
for by an assistant surgeon OF the
Thirtyeighth New York. | requested
the surgeon to get the watch and turn
both articles over to me: but as the
holder of the time-piece refused to re-
linauish it, reported the case to Gen
eral Kearney. In language not to be
misunderstood, the general expressed
his surprise that any officer in his com
mand should wish to retain prisoner S
property, and ordered that the watch
and sword be brought to him, which
was done, and he sent them, with his
compliments and SO greenback, to
the wounded Confederate officer.
TIREL ESs VIGILANCE.
From the I'd to the 9th of June the
army was engaged in building fortitica-
lions and doing picket duty. General
Kearney took special charge of the
latter on mis- line, and though the pick
cts were several times attacked they
were so posted that in every instance
the enemy were driven back with great
er loss. From the 9th of June to July
2, during McClellan's change of base, or
retreat to the James river, General
kearney labored continuously eXamin-
ing the country and calculating the
chances of successful retreat. Our dl-
vision crossed White Oak swamp on
the morning of June 30, the Fourth
Maine having the rear and being the
last to cross at daylight.
After accommodating and learning the
probable point of attack, our division
was so posted at Glendale as to pre-
vent the enemy from gaining possession
of the road on which our army was
moving to the James river; and when
the determined attack was made upon
Berry, brigade and Thompson's battery
by Magruder's rebel hordes, | saw Gen
eral kearney with General Berry in the
thickest of the fight.
At Malvern hill, July l. no attack
was made in force upon kearneyS di-
vision | held the front line, where we
had some skirmishing. The general
was necessarily on the lookout there,
as elsewhere. At Harrison Landing he
STAYED with US. and was daily seen
drilling or inspecting his troops, or re-
cOnnoitering to ascertain the enemys
position. that he might make the best
disposition of his men in case of an at
tack
When we left Harrison's Landing,
August Is, General kearney rode at the
head of his division, and when we left
the cars at Bristow station, on the 2lSt,
he was with us to guide and direct.
Kearney's division held the railroad
from Warrington to Rappanannock
station. when he fell back to Manassas,
Centreville, and Bull Run. at which
last place he arrived on the morning of
near by all day, and had troops been
put into the fight according to General
Kearney's desire the enemy would have
been defeated
On the Both, kearney's division was
supposed to be on the reserve; but
when McDowelrs corps was driven tack
Kearney, at the head of his division,
marched between McDoWell's troops
and the victorious enemy, thereby dis
heartening the Confederates, who
made no further advance. Thus ended
the battle of the Second Bull Bun, and
our troops retreated to Centreville.
Durin, the 31St and September l, until
8 D. M, the army remained quiet. l
saw but little of our general, as he was
in his tent, resting after his arduous
labors.
DEATH OF THE HERO.
At the hour named, we were ordered
to move in the direction Of Fairfax
and at this time Captain Mipdill, divi-
sion A. A. G., informed me that Cen
eral kearney was in arrest by order of
General Heintzelman. We left Centre
vile at $50 o'clock. General Kearney
was soon released and joined his com
mand. As he passed the Fourth Maine
l proposed three cheers, which were
given with will. He refined up his
horse and hat in hand responded
Brave Fourth Maine! Hurrah! Hur-
rah! Hurrahv'
He was cheered by others as he passed
them He little thought it was the
'last salute" Stevens men were fall
ing back.
ave can lick them, can't WEI" asked
Kearney.
eve can try it." answered.
"We can," said the general: "you
know we can. Move your regiment
double quick beyond that house, attack
and drive them"
7 started as directed but the general