KEARNEY, or KEARNY, PHILIP, 1815-62; b. New York, graduated at Columbia college and studied law, but accepted the appointment of lieut. in the 1st U. S. dragoons in 1837. Being ordered to repair to France to study and report upon the French system of cavalry tactics, he entered the polytechnic school at Saumur, and afterwards volunteered to the ranks of the chasseurs d'Afrique, and fought with this celebrated corps in Egypt with such distinction that he was decorated with the cross of the legion of honor. From 1840 to the outbreak of the Mexican war he was on the staff of gen. Scott, with whom he served through the entire campaign in Mexico, win ning a reputation for daring and determination unexcelled by that of any other Ameri can officer. For conspicuous gallantry in the fights of Contreras and Clutruhusco, he was breveted maj. ; and, during a magnificent cavalry charge at one of the gates of the city of Mexico, lie lost his left arm. In 1851 Kearney resigned from the army and visited
Europe, where he devoted himself, however, to the study of his profession, and on the outbreak of the Italian war, in 1859, entered the French service as a volunteer aid. Being engaged at Magenta and Solferino he was once more decorated, this time by the emperor in person. He entered the war of the rebellion as a brig.gen. of volun teers in the union army, but was soon placed in command of a division in gen. Heint zelman's corps, in which position he distinguished himself at Williamsburg, and during the seven days of the peninsula retreat. Gen. Kearney was made a maj.geu. of volunteers July 4, 1862, and on Sept. 1 following was killed in the battle of -Chantilly, Ya. He was an efficient and trustworthy, as well as a brave and dashing officer, and his loss was mourned by the entire country.