Friday, February 28, 2014

General Philip Kearny Jr. "The One-Armed Devil"

This man has accomplished more with one arm than most of us have with two.


Born~ June 2, 1815                    
Died~ Sept 1, 1862. Killed at Battle of Chantilly, Va
Education~ Columbia College class 1833
                  
Military Career~
1837 purchased commission as Second Lieutanant
1839 Traveled to France to study Cavalry Tactics at the school in Saumur.
Went with The Chasseurs d' Afrique in Algiers.
1846 He raised a troop of cavalry for the 1st U.S. Dragoons, Company F, in
Terre Haute, Indiana. He spared no expense in recruiting his men and acquired 120 matched dapple gray horses.
Fought at Battle of Contreras and Churubusco; in the latter engagement, Kearny led a daring cavalry charge and suffered a grapeshot wound to his left arm. It later had to be amputated. Kearny's courage earned him the respect of his soldiers and fellow officers                         
1859, Kearny returned to France, re-joining the Chasseurs d'Afrique, who were at the time fighting against Austrian forces in Italy. Later, he was with Napoleon III's Imperial Guard at the Battle of Solferino, He was with the cavalry under général Louis-Michel Morris, which penetrated the Austrian center and captured the key point of the battle. For this action, Kearny was awarded the French Légion d'honneur, becoming the first U.S. citizen to be thus honored.
1861. At the outbreak of Civil War, Kearny returned home to new Jersey.

Notable Commands~

1st New Jersey Brigade.        1861
3rd Division III Corp, Army of the Potomac.       April 30, 1862


Post War~ N/A

Fascinting Fact~ At the beginning of the American Civil War Kearny was considered to be one of the richest officers in the U.S. Army. When he offered his services to the War Department, they turned him down on account of his disability. The State of New Jersey realized the value of such a "seasoned" leader.
Also credited with designing the first unit insignia badges. These badges were the forerunner for the modern military patch that is worn by U.S. Soldiers today.




Above figure is a modified mounted officer. I used TesTors Contour Putty to fashion a cloak/cape to hang over his left shoulder to hide his missing arm.


On The Game Table~

LEVEL~             2
RADIUS~           12"
MODIFIER~       -2
COHESION~      16

 When General McClellan ordered a retreat after the Battle of Malvern Hill, General Kearny wrote the following.
"I, Philip Kearny, an old soldier, enter my solemn protest against this order for retreat. We ought instead of retreating should follow up the enemy and take Richmond. And in full view of all responsible for such declaration, I say to you all, such an order can only be prompted by cowardice or treason."
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