Philip Kearny was born in New York City, June 2, 1815. Entering the army in 1837, he was sent to Europe two years later to observe the tactics of the French cavalry. Enlisting in the French service, he performed many daring exploits in Algiers. He was in the Mexican War, and was the first American to enter the city of Mexico. He won the cross of the Legion of Honor in the Franco-Austrian war of 1859, and his service to the Union cause in the Rebellion before his death was conspicuous. General Scott once referred to him as the bravest and most perfect soldier he ever knew. The battle of Chantilly, where General Kearny lost his life, took place September 1, 1862. The general became separated from his men in the dusk and driving rain, and rode by mistake into the Confederate line. Encountering some skirmishers, he perceived his blunder, wheeled his horse, and endeavored to escape, but a volley rang out and he fell. It was in Kearny’s memory that George H. Boker wrote his most tender lyric: DIRGE FOR A SOLDIER Close his eyes; his work is done! What to him is friend or foeman, Rise of moon, or set of sun, Hand of man, or kiss of woman? Lay him low, lay him low, In the clover or the snow! What cares he? he cannot know: Lay him low! As man may, he fought his fight, Proved his truth by his endeavor; Let him sleep in solemn night, Sleep forever and forever. Lay him low, lay him low In the clover or the snow! What cares he? he cannot know: Lay him low! Fold him in his country’s stars, Roll the drum and fire the volley; What to him are all our wars, What but Death bemocking Folly? Lay him low, lay him low, In the clover or the snow! What cares he? he cannot know: Lay him low! Leave him to God’s watching eye, Trust him to the hand that made him. Mortal love weeps idly by: God alone has power to aid him. Lay him low, lay him low, In the clover or the snow! What cares he? he cannot know: Lay him low! =Stanza 1.= =Jameson= (Charles Davis), a brigadier-general of volunteers who died in the service. =Berry= (Hiram George), a major-general of volunteers, killed in the battle of Chancellorsville. See “Keenan’s Charge.” =Birney= (David Bell), a major-general of volunteers, who succeeded General Berry after the fall of the latter at Chancellorsville. He died in the service. 25. AN UNKNOWN HERO. By William Gordon McCabe. William Gordon McCabe was born in Richmond, Virginia, August 4, 1841. He served in various capacities in the Confederate army throughout the Civil War, since the close of which he has been active as an educator and as a writer upon educational and general topics.