Philip Kearny
| Philip Kearny, Jr. | |
|---|---|
Philip Kearny
|
|
| Born |
June 1, 1815 New York City, New York |
| Died | September 1, 1862 (aged 47) Chantilly, Virginia |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America Second French Empire
|
| Service/branch | French Army |
| Years of service | 1837–1851; 1861–1862 (USA) 1859–1861 (France) |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Commands held | First New Jersey Brigade |
| Battles/wars |
Mexican-American War |
| Signature |  |
Mexican-American War
Second Italian War of Independence
American Civil War
Philip Kearny, Jr. (/ˈkɑːrniː/; June 1, 1815 – September 1, 1862) was a United States Army officer, notable for his leadership in the Mexican-American War and American Civil War. He was killed in action in the 1862 Battle of Chantilly.
Kearny was born in New York City to a wealthy Irish American family. His father and mother were Philip Kearny, Sr., and Susan Watts. His maternal grandfather John Watts, the last Royal Recorder of New York City, was one of New York's wealthiest residents, who had vast holdings in ships, mills, factories, banks, and investment houses. Kearny's father was a Harvard-educated, New York City financier who owned his own brokerage firm and was also a founder of the .
Early in life, Kearny desired a career in the military. His parents died when he was young, and he was consequently raised by his grandfather. Against the younger Kearny's wishes, his guardian insisted that Kearny pursue a law career. Kearny attended Columbia College, attaining a law degree in 1833. His cousin John Watts de Peyster, who had also attended Columbia, wrote the first authoritative biography on Kearny.
In 1836, his grandfather died, leaving Kearny a fortune of over $1 million. He chose to make the army his profession. The following year, Kearny obtained a commission as a second lieutenant of cavalry, assigned to the 1st U.S. Dragoons, who were commanded by his uncle, Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, and whose adjutant general was Jefferson Davis. The regiment was assigned to the western frontier.
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