Military History - Major Philip Kearny and General Philip Kearny

MAJOR PHILIP KEARNY (1841-1863) was a Civil War Union Army Officer. Major of the 11th New Jersey Infantry, he was the nephew and namesake of Union General Philip Kearny. At first considered a genteel dandy by his superiors (and by his uncle), Major Kearny proved to be a brave and capable officer. Second in command of his unit at the Battle of Gettysburg, he was present when the 11th came under severe fire just south of the Klingel House on the second day of the Battle (July 2, 1863). Right after the unit switched directions to resist Barksdale's attack on the Peach Orchard, Major Kearny exclaimed to adjutant Lt. John Schoonover, "I tell you, we are going to have a fight," just as he was shot in the knee and knocked out of action. Transported to New York City after the battle, he lingered in pain for over a month and then succumbed to his wound.

GENERAL PHILIP KEARNY (1815-1862) was born at New York City, June 2, 1815, the nephew of General Stephen W. Kearny of Mexican War fame.

A goal since boyhood, in 1836 he embraced a military career. In 1839 he attended the French Cavalry School at Saumur, and saw action with Chasseurs d' Afrique in Algiers in 1840. A superb horseman, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. In 1846 his left arm was shattered, necessitating amputation. For gallant conduct he was breveted Major. He went abroad again in 1859 and served in Napoleon III's Imperial Guard during the Italian War. He is said to have taken part in every Cavalry charge at Magenta and Solferino with the reins clenched in his teeth.

When the Civil War broke out, he hurried home and offered his services. He was among the first Brigadier Generals of Volunteers appointed. In the spring of 1862, he rose to command a Division of Cavalry and was made a Major General as of July 4, 1862. At the Battle of Manassas on September 1, 1862, he inadvertently rode into the Confederate lines and was killed instantly by a rifle ball.

He was the originator of the "Kearny Patch," and was termed by General Scott "the bravest man I ever knew, and a perfect soldier." His remains, forwarded under a flag of truce by Robert E. Lee, were first buried in Trinity Churchyard in New York City, but on April 12, 1912 were moved to Arlington National Cemetery. His grave is marked by one of only two equestrian statues in the cemetery.