Gil R.
Posts: 10821
Joined: 4/1/2005 Status: offline
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Great bio on a general who hasn’t received the attention he deserves. No significant changes, other than my removing the bit about McClellan praising him for Williamsburg and that his brigade was in Franklin’s division – deletions made so that I could fit in my addition. I also moved the information about patches to the top so that it wouldn’t interrupt the narrative. I wanted to include that when leading his men into battle for the first time at Williamsburg he exhorted them, “Don’t worry boys, they’re shooting at me, not at you.” Sadly, there’s no space. I’m making Kearny a 25-percenter, since he was too good to remain a mere 9-percenter. Maj. Gen. Philip Kearny (b. 1815, d. 1862). Inventive, intelligent, wealthy and brave, Kearny’s rising star in the U.S. Army burned out with his death in the Battle of Chantilly on September 1, 1862. Kearny met his end when he inadvertently rode into the Confederate lines and was shot to death while trying to escape. “He was the bravest man I ever knew, and a perfect soldier,” said Gen. Winfield Scott, who worked with Kearny prior to the Civil War. Kearny was also an innovator, coming up with the “Kearny patch,” which helped to inspire the corps patches designed by Gen. Daniel Butterfield. Born in New York City on June 2, 1815, Kearny entered life in a family of great wealth and social stature. His uncle, Stephen Kearny, became a general in the Mexican War. After attending private schools early in life, Kearny graduated from Columbia University in 1833 and then studied law. In 1836, he inherited $1 million from his grandfather. In 1837, he realized a lifelong ambition by joining the military. Commissioned a 2nd lieutenant, he joined his uncle’s 1st Dragoons. In 1839, he attended the French Cavalry School at Saumur, and in 1840 he was with the Chasseurs d’Afrique in Algiers. Returning home, he became aide-de-camp to the army’s general-in-chief, first serving Gen. Alexander Macomb and then Scott. In 1846, Kearny commanded Scott’s bodyguard during the advance to Mexico City. At the Battle of Churubusco, he was severely wounded while leading a charge and his left arm was amputated. For gallant conduct, Kearny received brevet promotion to major. After a tour in California, he resigned from the army in 1851. In 1859-61, Kearny served in Napoleon III’s Imperial Guard during the Italian War and received the Cross of the Legion of Honor. It was reported that he took part in every cavalry charge at Magenta and Solferino with the reins clenched in his teeth. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Kearny returned home to offer his services to the Union, and was appointed a brigadier general of volunteers on August 7, 1861, to rank from May 17 – one of the first commissioned at that grade. He took over a brigade of New Jersey regiments, and during the Peninsula Campaign rose to divisional command in the III Corps of Maj. Gen. Samuel Heintzelman, effective April 30, 1862. He supported the division of Gen. Joseph Hooker at Williamsburg on May 5, arriving and taking up the fight just as Hooker’s men were wavering after hours of intense combat. (He also rallied some of Hooker’s men, including his old brigade, waving a sword in his one arm and shouting, “I am a one-armed Jersey son-of-a-gun, follow me!”) At the Battle of Seven Pines, Kearny supported the IV Corps of Gen. Erasmus Keyes, and his division fought through the Seven Days Campaign, distinguishing itself further at White Oak Swamp on June 30. Kearny was promoted to major general to rank from July 4, 1862. During the retreat following the crushing defeat in the Battle of 2nd Bull Run, Union forces under Gen. Isaac Stevens ran into Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson’s corps between the Manassas and Washington, D.C., precipitating the Battle of Chantilly (Ox Hill) on September 1. Kearny’s command was called in to support Stevens. “By God, I will support Stevens anywhere!” Kearny exclaimed. Arriving on the battle site at 5:15 p.m., Kearny was at the head of Gen. David Birney’s brigade. While coordinating his attack on the Confederate positions, Kearny rode into enemy lines and was shot trying to escape. The battle ended at nightfall with the Union losing over 1,300 men, including Kearny. His remains were forwarded under flag of truce by Gen. Robert E. Lee. When Kearny’s widow requested his horse and equipment, Lee used personal funds to purchase the equipment and return it. First buried in Trinity Churchyard in New York, Kearny was moved to Arlington National Cemetery in 1912. (Bio by Bill Battle) Leadership: 7 Tactics: 6 Initiative: 6 Command: 6 Cavalry: Teaches: Chargers (13), Brave (2), Sustained Volley (20), Stalwart (27) Start date: 15 Death date: 40
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Michael Jordan plays ball. Charles Manson kills people. I torment eager potential customers by not sharing screenshots of "Brother Against Brother." Everyone has a talent.
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