2176 TO THE VOLUNTEER ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES, AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS A WHOLE, THE NOBLEST EXAMPLE OF PRESENTED IN ANCIENT OR MODERN HISTORY, TIVOLI, DUCHESS COUNTY, N. Y., 9th March, 1872. THE author, in continuing to distribute among friends, the few copies of this Biography which fell to his share as the sole reward of his labors and expenditure, desires to inform his readers that no literary task was ever performed under more aggravating circumstances, over which the concession of the copyright deprived the author (it would appear) of every control. Not to enumerate the obstacles, or enter into the unpleasant details, it is sufficient to state that no stipulation was adhered to by the parties with whom he made the agreement, and the book was only completed in order that the views of no other individual might mar the author's comprehension of the character of the hero of whom he undertook to present a true picture to his countrymen. Very many of the pages were stereotyped (as was admitted by the publishers) without attention to the corrections in the proofs. The author's secretary heard this admitted. What is more, the note at the foot of page 484 was substituted by the publishers without the knowledge of the author, who was astonished on finding it presented as his own. The first intimation that he had of the unauthorized publication of the note as it stands, was reading this note in the copies furnished to subscribers. The original note is hereto subjoined, that friends may be enabled to draw their own conclusions from this act of bad faith, and therefrom learn to appreciate the justice he experienced from those for whose profit he expended health, means and time or labor. As he received no remuneration for either, he could scarcely have conceived that the publishers would have dared to obliterate his explanations, and insert instead a mosaic, which, while it embodies a portion of his language, is made up in the whole of their own assertions, of whose effect he never dreamed until the book was already in the hands of subscribers, and which he would never (if consulted) have permitted to appear as his own. ORIGINAL NOTE." Reader, pardon any repetitions, if you discover them in this chapter, or in the book. If it seems fragmentary, a thing of shreds and patches,' even if the material is rich and beautiful, it is no wonder that it is so, since this work has been published in fragments, with intervals of many months between them. Indeed, the writer never felt sure when furnishing a chapter, that the succeeding one would ever be called for, or even that the one handed over would ever be set up in type. The text was written, with the exception of Chapters XXVI and XXVII, in the summer of 1868, and one half the whole was in type by October, the greater part stereotyped. Had there been any assurance of its being printed, the work would have been re-written, and have assumed an entirely different form or expression. Still, as it is, receive it as a memento of almost fraternal regard, and respect it (as set up and allowed to go forth) as a rough but honest monument of the worth, patriotism and ability of a relation deeply regretted, who was as a father to the writer's son, serving at one time with him in the field." Thus far the original note inserted in the copies hitherto distributed by the author. More recent developements require still further explanations. Long after this "Personal and Military History of Major-General Philip Kearny, MajorGeneral U. S. Volunteers was in its subscribers' hands, the account of his services in Africa, privately printed, which had hitherto eluded diligent search (as indicated on page vi of the Preface) was sent to him anonymously by a lady, supposed to be a common cousin. It is said that the numerous copies of this valuable little pamphlet which deserves a place in every military library, were so misappropriated as to be used as equivalent to packing paper. This pamphlet of 41 pages is entitled "Service with the French Troops in Africa by an Officer in the U. S. Army, New York, 1844;" nothing further: no allusion to publisher or place of publication. The discovery or recovery of this remarkable little work would necessitate in a new edition a remodelling of Chapter VI and the substitution of Kearny's own narrative for Chapters VII and VIII. Kearny took the field in Africa on Monday 1st of June, 1840, having been attached, on the previous day, to the first Chasseurs d'Afrique under Colonel Le Pays de Bourjolli. Kearny's highly interesting account in a regularly new edition, will be substituted for the 36 pages between pages 74 and 111 in the original edition. It would be impossible to improve upon his language, or to tell in a more soldierly manner the story of the service of the greatest soldier who ever illustrated American courage and conduct on the field of the old world and under a foreign flag. TIVOLI, 9th March, 1872. J. WATTS DE PEYSTER, Brigadier-General for "important service," M. F. S. N. Y., 1851. CONTENTS. A glorious Retrospect; Origin of the KEARNY Family: Their Relations and The KEARNY and WATTS Families and their Connections; their Civil and The Springtide of Youth; Childhood, boyhood, youth and education of In the Saddle at last - Lieutenant PHILIP KEARNY's first military service at the Far West in 1837-1839, with Notices of the frontier Settlements about A representative American - Lieutenant KEARNY at the French Military School of Saumur. The Feast of Kings; Twelfth Night Festivities -A Ball given by an American Officer in France worthy of commemoration. El Tell and El Sersous; France in Africa-A description of the theatre of hos- Through El Biban- The passage of the Atlas Mountains, through the Gates Over the Mousaia to Medeah and Milianah-The African Battle above the From the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains- The Expedition of 1845, CHAPTER X. The Mexican War-Captain PHILIP KEARNY in Mexico and his famous com- CHAPTER XI..... he Gurita San Antonio: Charge of the One Hundred The battle of 123 to 135 136 to 151 modern warfare." CHAPTER XII... Home, sweet home - Sword presentation to Brevet-Major PHILIP KEARNY. 152 to 153 The Golden Gate and Victory of the Rogue River - One of the most brilliant KEARNY a Wanderer: "Round the world"-"KEARNY, in Paris, rendered The Italian Campaign of 1859; KEARNY, & Volunteer at Solferino; decorated "The Type Volunteer General of the War:" KEARNY's return to America in CHAPTER XVII.. A Model Brigadier and Pattern Brigade Commander, PHILIP KEARNY, "the CHAPTER XVIII... Plans and Correspondence; KEARNY foretells the Greatness of GRANT. CHAPTER XIX The Second Advance to Manasses, occupation of the Rebel camps and CHAPTER XX.. Irritants and Assuasives; Poison and Antidote; KEARNY thanked by the 201 to 218 219 to 227 228 to 251 252 to 256 From Alexandria through Yorktown to Williamsburg; KEARNY in command The Battle of Williamsburg, Monday, May 5, 1862; "KEARNY, the last to leave EXEMPLI GRATIA, Exemplary Volunteer Generals. The Peninsula Campaign No. 1; Seven Pines and Fair Oaks; KEARNY & Peninsula Campaign No. 2; Fair Oaks to Oak Grove to Malvern Hill; The CHAPTER XXVI... Companion and Supplementary, a partial review of the Peninsula Operations on the Left: Popular proneness to exaggeration; KEARNY's practical fore- sight and ability; The KEARNY Patch, Diamond and Cross, and Badge or 360 to 371 Harrison's Landing, Chafing on the Bit-Interesting Correspondence and Pope and the "Army of Virginia ;" From the Rapidan to Warrenton; KEARNY Pope and the "Army of Virginia;" Something on the ever ready, fighting, 3d Corps; KEARNY's final Correspondence and last Report; KEARNY's little Chantilly-A striking example of a second-class decisive battle; STONEWALL Death and Burial of “the bravest man I (Scorт) ever knew, and the most perfect soldier;" Charming Reminiscences from KEARNY's Comrades |