Born at New York City, NY, the scion of wealth and social standing, he was the nephew of Stephen W. Kearny of Mexican War fame. He attended private schools and was graduated from Columbia University in 1833. He studied law and traveled widely. In 1836 he inherited $1 million from his grandfather and at once embraced the military career that had been his goal since childhood. A superb horseman, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Dragoons, his uncle's regiment, in 1837. He was sent to Europe by the War Department in 1839 to study the tactics of the French cavalry. To this end, he attended the French Cavalry School at Saumur, saw action as a volunteer with the Chasseurs d'Afrique in Algiers, and served with Col. Le Pays de Bourjolli. He made the passage of the Atlas Mountains and participated in the engagements on the plains of Metidjah and of the Chelif, at the Siege of Milianah, and passage of the Mousaia.

In Autumn, 1840 Kearny returned to the United States and was almost immediately appointed aide-de-camp to General Alexander Macomb, general-in-chief of the Army, holding this position until his Macomb's death. For some months thereafter, Kearny was stationed at the cavalry barracks at Carlisle, PA but was soon recalled to Washington to serve on the staff of General Winfield Scott.

In 1845, he accompanied his uncle, General Kearny, on the march to the South Pass, which was the first expedition that penetrated so far from settlements into the Indian country.

In 1846, during the Mexican War, he commanded his own magnificently equipped company of cavalry, first along the Rio Grande, but later joined General Scott on his march to Mexico. His command served as the bodyguard of the general-in-chief, and Kearny was promoted to Captain in December, 1846.

Kearny took part in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco and, at the close of the latter, as the Mexicans were retreating into the capital, Kearny himself, at the head of his dragoons, charged the enemy and followed them into Mexico City itself. As he fell back he was shot in the left arm which, shattered, required amputation. For gallant conduct there he received a brevet to Major. When General Oliver O. Howard lost his right arm during the Civil War at the Battle of Fair Oaks, Kearny happened to be present when the amputation was performed and, Howard looking up, said: "We'll buy our gloves together hereafter".

A month later General Scott with his army entered the City of Mexico, but the first man who had entered the gate of the captured capital, sword in hand, was Capt. Philip Kearny.

Philip Kearny

During his recovery, Kearny was stationed on recruiting service in New York City and was presented a sword by the members of the Union Club. In early 1851 he went to California and was engaged in the campaign against the Rogue River Indians. He resigned from the service in October, 1851 and went around the world, via China and Ceylon, and after spending some time in Paris, settled at his New Jersey estate, Belle Grove, located opposite Newark.

In 1859 Kearny returned to France and, joining his old comrades of the Chasseurs d'Afrique, participated in the war in Italy. At Solferino he was in the charge of the cavalry under General Louis M. Morris, which penetrated the Austrian center, capturing the key point of the battle. He was described in this charge as: "Holding his bridle in his teeth, with his characteristic impetuosity". He received the Cross of the Legion of Honor, being the first American that had ever been so honored for military service to France.

In 1861, soon after the beginning of the Civil War, Kearny returned to the United States to offer his services. He was among the first Brigadier-Generals of volunteers appointed (August 7 to rank from May 17, 1861) and was assigned to command the 1st Brigade of New Jersey militia regiments under General William B. Franklin's division of the Army of the Potomac. He was present at the Battle of Williamsburg where his timely arrival changed the repulse into victory. He served throughout the engagements of the Virginia Peninsular Campaign and then with the Army of Virginia from Rapidan to Warrenton. He rose to command of the 3rd Division of Samuel P. Heintzelman's III Corps. Kearny was made a Major-General as of July 4, 1862.

At the second battle of Bull Run he was on the right, and forced General Thomas J. Jackson's corps back against General Longstreet's men. A few days later, during the indecisive engagement of Chantilly, on September 1, 1862, Kearny inadvertently rode into the Confederate lines and was killed instantly by a rifle ball as he wheeled and spurred off. His remains were sent by Lee under a flag of truce to General Hooker and he was buried first in Trinity Churchyard, New York City, and in 1912 moved to Arlington National Cemetery.

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