89. De PEYSTER, John Watts. Personal and
Military History of Philip Kearny, Major-General United
States Volunteers. New York: Rice and Gage, 1869. xii,
[13]-512 pp., engraved pictorial title, engraved portraits,
illustrations. Large 8vo, original gilt pictorial
terracotta cloth. Fine copy.
First
edition. Connor & Faulk, North America
Divided 189: "Kearny, a true military adventurer,
served as Scott’s personal bodyguard. He lost an arm
leading a charge at Churusbusco. Scott called him ‘the
bravest man I ever knew.’" Eberstadt, Modern
Narratives of the Plains & Rockies 128. Garrett,
Mexican-American War, p. 205. Haferkorn, p.
59. Harvard Guide to American History, p. 198.
Nevins, Civil War Books II:152: "Lavish in its
praise, but contains many excerpts from pertinent
documents." Tutorow 3788. Kearny participated in several
campaigns against Native Americans (including the Black
Hawk War and Rogue River), and accompanied the Dragoon
Expedition with his uncle from Fort Leavenworth over the
South Pass in 1845. He also served in the Italian War, and
despite the loss of an arm, is said to have taken part in
every Cavalry charge at Magenta and Solferino, with the
reins clenched in his teeth. Pingenot: Biography of
Stephen Watts Kearny’s nephew. Both Haferkorn and
Tutorow confused Philip Kearney’s Mexican War service
with his better known uncle’s role in the conquest of
New Mexico and California.
($100-200)