The Death of General Kearny
As darkness fell, Major General Philip Kearny rode east to investigate the gap in the Union line.
Alarmed at what he saw, Kearny located the remnants of the 21st Massachusetts and ordered them into the cornfield to protect Birney’s flank. They protested that their ammunition was wet, and the cornfield was full of rebels. Ultimately, the regiment did as ordered, but they soon halted under fire after capturing two 49th Georgia skirmishers.
Incensed at this halt, Kearny prodded the regiment forward saying they were firing on their own men and that no rebels were in the cornfield. When shown the two prisoners, Kearny shouted: “Damn you and your prisoners!”
Gen. Philip Kearny, USA. Photo taken at Washington, D.C., March 1862
Robert E. Lee sending Kearny's body to the Union lines under a flag of truce from The Death of General Kearny by Julian Scott, 1884.
Kearny galloped forward in the rain and gloom into the cornfield on a personal reconnaissance. Within about 60 yards, the one-armed general encountered the skirmish line of the 49th GA. Realizing his mistake, Kearny wheeled about to flee.
In an instant there were cries of: “That’s a Yankee officer!” “Halt!” “Shoot him!” Suddenly, a dozen muskets flashed. Kearny was shot from his horse, dying instantly in the muddy cornfield.