LETTER FROM PHIL. KEARNY'S BUGLER.

The following artless letter, by PHIL. KEARNY'S "Little Bugler," as he was universally styled, is too characteristic and interesting to be omitted. It speaks equally well in favor of the General who could inspire a lad of twelve years with such sentiments of admiration and devotion, and of the drummer boy who, at the age of sixteen, could indite such a grateful and agreeable memorial of his old commander. PHIL. KEARNY to him, indeed, was the "Legendary hero of the Bivouacs of the Army of the Potomac," and every one who can lay a claim to service under the "Bayard of that Army," glories in the fact, and clings to it as the chief honor of his military career. To follow KEARNY, was to tread the path of duty and of valor; to honor him with unimpaired respect, to testify an appreciation of his manliness, and to cherish his memory, as PHIL. KEARNY'S memory is cherished by his braves," is to possess a portion of those patriotic virtues which made him an example, a type and a guiding light.

"Far through the tempest-horrors of the night,
The seaman marks the distant gleam of light
Which points the course to haven and to home,
The guiding star with hope and safety dight."

Yes, KEARNY was a guiding star, and if it pointed out, as it often did, to death, the grave which received the fallen was the honored bed of repose for the Warrior who fell in the path of glory, the Patriot who died for Faith and Fatherland.

NEW YORK, July 23, 1868.

I will try and detail, in the smallest possible compass, as far back as I can recollect, my experience with General, KEARNY. In the first place, I will begin with my enlistment. In the early part of 1861, I was drumming recruits in Chatham Square, New York city, for the Forty-second Regiment Volunteers (Tammany), for a couple of months, when my father enlisted in the Fortieth N. Y. Volunteers (Mozart) at Yonkers. When the Fortysecond, not treating me well, I left them, not being mustered in, and tried to join the Fortieth; but its commander, Colonel RILEY, would not take me, on account of my being too small, and also too young, being only eleven years old. As soon as the Colonel said "No," I began to cry, and turned away from the tent; but my father went and spoke to him, when he called me back and made me take a drum and beat. All the men commenced to laugh, because the drum was nearly as big as myself; but nevertheless, the Colonel said I would do. So I was mustered in on the 26th June, 1861, and discharged on the 26th June 1864. Our regiment was guarding the railroad during the first battle of Bull Run. I was with the regiment from the Battle of Williamsburg, our first fight, until we came to Harrison's Landing, when a Corporal BROWN, clerk at General KEARNY's headquarters, and also a member of our regiment, came to me one day, stating that General KEARNY ordered him to get him a drummer from our regiment to serve as an orderly for one day, as General MCCLLELAN was to review the army the next day. I reported myself the next day. I reported myself next morning early. He received me kindly, gave me his gray horse (Baby), one that he brought from Mexico. During the review, the General had occasion to jump a very large ditch. I jumped it with him, but a great many of the officers had to cross further up. I think my jumping this ditch brought me favorably to his notice. Accordingly, when I reported myself in the evening, after the review, so as to return to my regiment, he said, "No; but go and bring my baggage over to headquarters, and consider yourself my Orderly in the future." From that day until his death, I was always with him. It was his habit to ride outside of the picket-guard every day at Harrison Landing, only taking me with him. Many a time I would have to ride on top of the horse, lengthwise, so as not to knock my legs against the trees. He would go so fast through them, one time my hat was knocked off; the General never stopping, so by the time I was in the saddle again, there was no General to be seen, but I gave "Baby" his own way, when in less than five minutes he brought me up to him. I have known that same horse to kick at him as he went in the gate. The General would then "damn" me for not holding the horse tight; but for all that, the General always treated me the same as my own father would have done, and no one mourned his untimely death more than I did. The first affair of any note in which I was with the General, was the skirmish near Black River, or Water. The rebel cavalry made a charge on our skirmishers, but we gave them one volley, when they retreated, but came very near making a prisoner of General D. B. BIRNEY, near the skirmishers at the time. He managed to kill one with his pistol,

and flung it in the face of another. Nothing of note took place on our march from Harrison's Landing to Alexandria, except at the second battle of Bull Run, when during the engagement the General had occasion to write orders, which he did on his knee, while I steadied the paper with my fingers. When noticing that I trembled some he asked me "what was the matter." I replied, "nothing, only I was a little frightened." He said, "I must never get frightened at any thing;" any other man but him, would have acted just the same as I did, for the way the rebels were throwing shell and minie-ball in that particular spot was a caution. During another part of the fight, several officers had congregated in a group-a few Generals and aides-de-camp-when one of the enemy's batteries fired a piece of railroad iron at us, and struck on my left, the General said “it was aimed at him," but did no harm except scattering dirt and gravel all around us. That place, getting a little too hot to hold us, we moved further on. At another time, he went outside the line of battle-the men all having lain down-to view the enemy, which went within an inch of costing him his life, for we had no sooner got outside when their sharpshooters com menced making a target of us. Some of the men called him in, but he took his time, until he saw all he could see, when he condescended to turn his horse's head, and show the enemy his rear. After we retreated to Centerville, early on the morning of the 31st of August, 1862, he called me into his room; he was then quartered in a small cottage. I found him in bed; he gave me some official documents, and a letter directed to Mrs. KEARNY, which I believe was the last letter he ever wrote home, and three or four golden dollars and some silver, to defray my expenses, and told me to post them in Alexandria. This was the last time I ever saw the General alive or dead. Inclosed you will find the pass he gave, which you will return after you have examined it. I proceeded to Alexandria, but came near being cut off by the enemy, who were then trying to surround us, which, I think, led to the battle of Chantilly.

Having obeyed orders I commenced to retire, the afternoon of September 1st. Understanding from some stragglers that our troops were engaged - this was in the evening - I proceeded as far front as I dared, not knowing the position our men occupied, and remained there, in there in the road, under as heavy a shower as it has ever been my misfortune to be in, until next morning, when I moved on, and inquired for the General's headquarters, when I was told that he was either dead or a prisoner. I found out all that I could about it, which was, that the previous evening General KEARNY had asked General to reconnoiter a certain gap which was left unguarded, but General *** * advised him not to go; he said "he would go any how," which he did, and that was the last that was ever seen of him alive. A great many seem to think that the General rode a gray horse at the time; but the one he rode was a coal black. I never saw the General's body after it was sent into our lines, and conveyed to Alexandria in an ambulance. I then reported to General BIRNEY, was with him some time, when General STONEMAN, taking command of the Third Army Corps, I went with him, and was with him in the battle of Fredericksburg, when he being ordered to the command of the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, General SICKLES then had the command, and I was under him in the battle of Gettysburg, which was the last engagement I was in-making ten battles in all, and never received a scratch. A little while after General SICKLES Was convalescent (after the loss of his leg at Gettysburg), I was sent on to school at New York city to educate myself for West Point, as President LINCOLN said he would send me there. But President LINCOLN'S untimely death blew my prospects to the wind. The gentleman who was to have taken care of my mother (my father having died from effect of disease contracted during the first year of the war), went away from me, and consequently I had to leave school and go to work. My stopping at the White House you know, so I will not speak of that. My only hope of going to West Point is the election of General GRANT as President, which General SICKLES promised me, if he became President. I also received the Maltese (KEARNY) Cross from General BIRNEY. Hoping that the little information I have been enabled to give you will assist the gentleman (the author), you spoke to me of, I remain, your obedient servant,

GUSTAVE A. SCHURMANN.

CHAPTER XXX.*

CHANTILLY.

ONE OF JACKSON'S FAMOUS FLANK MARCHES OR TURNING MOVEMENTS, OR DIVERSIONS, DEFEATED BY THE FIGHTING DIVISIONS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.

"Ein Mann boll steller Grosse.”’

SCHMALZ'S" Denkwurdigkeiten des Grafen WILHELM's zu SCHAUMBURG LIPPE." |

"A heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute." - EDWARD GIBBON. "Heart to conceive, the understanding to direct, and the hand to execute." - JUNIUS. "You talk always of my person, of my dangers. Need I tell you, it is not necessary that I live, but it is that I do my duty, and fight for my country to save it if possible." FREDERIC THE GREAT to MARQUIS D'ARGENS, 18th September, 1760, Guttmansdorf, day after his march athwart a fearful Austrian cannonade.

"To fight, Æmilius,

In a just cause, and for our country's glory,
Is the best office of the best men."

HARVARD'S "Regulus."

"Death! thou fell tyrant, hast no fears for me,

A hero's Fame is Immortality."

"NON MORITUR CUGUS FAMA VIVIT."

*After having prepared a synopsis of the August campaign of the " Army of Virginia,' with authorities and notes, the writer was notified by the publishers that he must restrict himself within a certain number of pages. This compelled the excision of all POPE'S movements not immediately connected with KEARNY, and even contracted KEARNY Within limits insufficient to do him justice. This change in the plan was contrary to agreement; but as the author considers himself absolved by such changes, errors and delays, from all responsibility, he finishes the work, as far as he is permitted, simply that an immense amount of labor may not be lost; labor involving the collection of a vast amount of information, whose publication is due to the gentlemen and friends who kindly united in assisting him.

"The officers vigorously exerted themselves to restore the broken ranks, but in the midst of their efforts the right center column, led by the good and gallant Lord HowE, was suddenly fronted by the body of the enemy who had gone astray in the forest. They Joined in bitter strife, almost hand to hand, in the swamps, or from tree to tree on the hillside. At the first shock many of Howe's light infantry went down, he himself, hurrying to the front, was struck by a musket ball in the breast and instantly expired. His men, infuriated by the loss of their beloved leader, swarmed on through the woods and finally overpowered or destroyed the enemy. ***

"That night the victors occupied the field of battle; to this their advantage was confined, for the disorganization of the troops had frightfully increased during the unpropitious march, in the hard fought skirmish, and by the loss of their best and most trusted chief. The vigor and spirit of ABERCROMBIE's army seemed to pass away with Lord HowE. This gallant man, from the time he had landed in America, had wisely instructed his regiments for the peculiar service of that difficult country. No useless incumbrance of baggage was allowed; he himself set the example, and encountered privation and fatigue in the same chivalrous spirit with which he faced the foe; graceful and kind in his manners, and considerate to the humblest under his charge, his officers and soldiers heartily obeyed the chief because they loved the man. At the fatal moment when he was lost to England her glory and welfare most needed his aid. He lived long enough for his own honor, but not for that of his country." - Major WARBURTON's "Conquest of Canada," page 184.

"Among the dead were two generals, one of whom was the famous warrior PHIL. KEARNY." - VON BORCKE.

"I never heard the old song of PERCY (STONEWALL JACKSON) and DOUGLAS (PHIL KEARNY), that I found not my heart moved more than with a trumpet."-SIR PHILIP SIDNEY.

"This battle (Chantilly) was especially unfortunate to the North, and deprived it of the life of General KEARNY, whose services on many fields had rendered his name distinguished." Life of STONEWALL JACKSON, 1866.

"There was a fight at Chantilly, where the brave and impetuous KEARNY was killed, and the enemy fell back." -CARLETON.

***

"Fortunately for his (HOOKER's) laurels, General KEARNY, a splendid old veteran, who had seen service under the French in Algeria, came to his aid, and restored the battle (Williamsburg) to the Federals." ―STACKE'S (London, 1866) “Story of the American War.” "General PHILIP KEARNY was also killed. *** His loss is deeply deplored by the whole army. He was considered one of the bravest generals in the service, and the enemy made repeated efforts to kill, wound or capture him. His dashing and fearless bearing

and his conspicuous figure, with but one arm, made him an easily distinguished and coveted aim. Up to the night of his death, he was on every occasion to be found in the thickest of the fight, and seemed to lead a charmed life. The Union Army has not lost an officer who will be as much regretted as General KEARNY." - Leaves from the Diary of (Dr. ELLIS) an Army Surgeon.

"From this time (July 20th, 1861, at Harrison's Landing) I had no personal intercourse with General KEARNY until the fatal day of Chantilly. While the army was yet at Centreville, I entered his room to obtain permission to visit the wounded at Fairfax Station. This, without a moment's hesitation, he granted, and urged me to remain with him a few minutes; during the course of our conversation, he spoke of the causes which led to the disastrous defeat of the previous Saturday, and then of the spirit which animated the South. For the first time in our intercourse he spoke on the subject of religion. He regretted that it had been so little his study, but said his knowledge of the world and experience taught him that the only hope of the future was in the Gospel of our Lord, and that everything else would signally fail in producing peace on earth and good-will among men. He said the scenes in which we were living more deeply impressed him with the value of the teachings of the Bible.

"We parted, and in the sanguinary struggle of the evening General KEARNY fell, and with him a thousand hopes for the country and the army. He was a man of far more talent than many have been willing to concede to him. While ardent and impulsive, he was capable of the most wily caution; while often stern and withering in rebuke, he was generous and forgiving; though ambitious he was above all low, mean jealousies. No officer in the army was more laborious and sleepless; his keen eye was everywhere, and with an energy that never faltered, he corrected every abuse, and fully investigated everything that pertained to the discipline and well-being of his division. If he had lived, his brilliant and chivalrous qualities would have won for him a very high place in the admiration and gratitude of his country." - MARKS' "Peninsula Campaign.”

"It having been ascertained that the enemy were attempting to turn our right, and cut off our communications with Washington by moving a large force on the Little River or Aldie turnpike toward Fairfax Court House, our army was stretched along the Warronton and Alexandria pike, from Centreville to beyond the Court House. At noon we moved off down the pike, marching on the fields along the sides of the road, which was filled with continuous strings of wagons, moving both ways. A little before sunset, just as our division had passed in front of Chantilly, an attack was made by the enemy on the troops in our rear, and we were put in position in a large open field in reserve. The battle raged furiously for some time, the shot and shell falling amongst us, but doing little damage to our division. In the midst of it a terrific thunder storm occurred, and it appeared as if heaven and earth were contending for the mastery. But the darkness of night terminated the conflict, the enemy was driven entirely back from our front, but the gallant Generals KEARNY and STEVENS fell.-WOODWARD'S " Our Campaigns," pp. 189, 190.

"The army mourned the national loss of Major-General KEARNY, who was killed at Chantilly, and his memory will be cherished as long as exalted patriotism, inspiring courage, and justice toward men are revered by mankind. Qualified to be the head of the army, he accepted the command of a brigade. Leaving the comforts which his large wealth afforded, he welcomed the most trying hardships of the service. In another zone, the enemies of his country had taken his arm; but his zeal triumphed over the disability, and he fought until he had sacrificed his life. Placing the reins between his teeth and grasping in his single hand the two-edged sword, he led his men in the charge that was never checked. Humane to those who were his inferiors, the orderlies were directed to bring water in canteens to the soldiers when the exigencies of the hour required that all should remain in the ranks at the front. Impetuous in thought and action as the flash of his fiery eye, he censured with the same vehemence the misconduct of the private or the general of the highest rank in the Union forces. Beloved by his division, the RED BADGE which he instituted was always worn by the officers and men with the same proud feeling with which the heroic commander displayed the Legion of Honor, which never enrolled a nobler chevalier. Bravely performing his public tasks, the death of this puro patriot and consummate soldier was a fitting conclusion of his eventful life."-" Three Years in the Army of the Potomac," by Captain HENRY N. BLAKE, pp. 140-1.