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Philip Kearny diary

 Collection — Multiple Collection Box: [A 065] 1
Identifier: A 065

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of a photostat copy of Philip Kearny's 1850-1851 diary. Kearny's entries describe a trip from San Francisco to Vancouver, and return to California. Much of the diary is almost illegible, but what can be deciphered indicates that Kearny had a low opinion of Oregon and Oregonians.

Dates

  • 1850 March 15-1851 June 29

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Biographical / Historical

Philip Kearny, Jr. was the son of Philip Kearny, Sr., a financier and founder of the New York Stock Exchange. Due to his parents' deaths, Kearny was raised by his grandfather and, following the wishes of his grandfather, graduated from Columbia College with a law degree in 1833. After his grandfather's death, Kearny joined the 1st U.S. Dragoons as a second lieutenant of cavalry. In 1839, Kearny was sent to France to study cavalry tactics and served in Algeria with the Chasseurs d'Afrique. Kearny briefly resigned his commission in 1846, but returned to the army with the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, eventually participating in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco as commander of Troop F of the 1st U.S. Dragoons. In 1851, Kearny left the army to travel and, in 1855, settled in present-day Kearny, New Jersey. In 1859, Kearny traveled to France and rejoined the Chasseurs d'Afrique to fight Austrian forces and Italy. Kearny also served with Napoleon III's Imperial Guard at the Battle of Solferino. In 1861, with the outbreak of the Civil War, Kearny returned to the United States and was appointed brigadier general in command of the 1st New Jersey Brigade. Kearny also commanded the 3rd Division of the III Corps and was promoted to major general before his death on September 1, 1862, at the Battle of Chantilly. (Source: Princeton University Library, Civil War papers of Philip Kearny).

Extent

0.1 linear feet (1 container) : 1 folder

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Philip Kearny (1815-1862) was a lifelong miltary officer who perished in the Civil War. This diary describes an 1850 trip from San Francisco to Vancouver and subsequent return to California.

Existence and Location of Originals

The original diary is privately owned.

Related Materials

Other collections relating to Philip Kearny include the Civil War Papers of Philip Kearny (C0616) kept at Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections.

Physical Description

1 folder, including 32 pages, photostat

Processing Information

This collection received a basic level of processing including minimal organization and rehousing.

Description information is drawn in part from information supplied with the collection and initial surveys of the contents.

This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Title
Guide to the Philip Kearny Diary
Status
Complete Description
Author
University of Oregon Libraries, Archivists' Toolkit Project Team, Amanda Steele, and Chasmodai Cassidy
Date
2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1299 USA