Philip Kearny
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1815-1862
Philip Kearny was born on June 2, 1815, in New York, New York. His
mother died when Kearny was only 9 years old, and the young boy grew
up with his mother's father, a wealthy and socially prominent man.
Young Kearny's uncle, Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny, was a US dragoon,
and his influence on young Kearny sowed the seeds of military
interest in the boy. Philip Kearny's grandfather, however, who had
lost all of his sons, convinced Philip to attend Columbia University.
Kearny graduated in 1833, then traveled extensively. Upon his
grandfather's death, Kearny inherited $1 million. He returned home,
and joined the military as a 2d lieutenant in the 1st US Dragoons.
After serving for two years, he was sent to the French Cavalry School
at Saumur to study cavalry tactics. While overseas, he fought in
Algiers. Returning to the US, he became an aide-de-camp first to
Alexander Macomb, then to Winfield Scott. Kearny fought in the
Mexican War, and was wounded so seriously that he had to have his
left arm amputated. Brevetted for gallantry, he later served in
California, then resigned from the army. He got married and
established a home in New Jersey. Kearny returned to the military in
1859, joining Napoleon III's Imperial Guard in the Italian War.
Awarded the French Legion of Honor, he returned to the US and was
appointed brigadier general of volunteers when the Civil War began.
Commanding a New Jersey brigade, he became a respected officer, and
made a name for himself during the Peninsula Campaign. Kearny was
promoted to major general, in charge of a division. On September 1,
1862, during the Battle of Chantilly, he rode into enemy lines by
mistake. He was killed instantly, and was buried in Trinity
Churchyard in New York City. His remains were moved to the National
Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia. After his death, the town in New
Jersey in which he had lived was renamed "Kearny." In addition, the
Kearny Medal and Kearny Cross, given to members of the 1st
Division/III Corps/Army of the Potomac, were named in his honor. The
Kearny Medal was given to officers who had served with honor while
Kearny had still been in command, while the Kearny Cross was given to
enlisted men of the division.
