Excerpt from Reunion of Post Phil Kearny, No; 8, G. A. R., At Irving Hall, March 25, 1868

It'is with feelings of peculiar gratification that I ap pear before you this evening, to perform a duty to the hero-dead, and enjoy the pleasure of addressing you, in order to recall one of those prominent figures in the greatest war-picture of the world, whose memory you have honored by selecting his name as the denomination of your Post. To me this selection has given the live liest satisfaction, since, brought up with him in a child less grandfather's house, we were united by ties stronger than those which often bind together men who are nearer in relationship. Throughout life these bonds were inten sified by peculiar circumstances. There was a mutual confidence such as rarelv exists except between brothers, and when kearny went forth to play a distinguished part in the death-struggle for our national existence, my eldest son rode beside him as a trusted member of his staff. This son was with him when he marched forth from the lines of Washington, to occupy the Rebel works at Manassas, close on the steps of the retreating Rebels. He was with kearny when he saved hooker, and se cured the victory at Williamsburg, and when he assisted in retrieving the lost ground at Fair Oaks and Seven Pines. Again they were together at Harrison's Landing, whence they parted - one for a lingering bed of sick ness; the other for a bed of glory. And I never shall recall without emotion the intense passion of grief which for two days possessed the almost dying aide-dc-camp, when the news was communicated to him that the cousin and commander whom he loved and venerated, was never again to be greeted by him on this side of the grave. Ilnt this grief was not confined to one. The Commanding General, who had been too tardy to do him (kearny) justice while living, shed bitter tears over his corpse, and all true soldiers declared that the Army had lost one of its brightest ornaments, one who had the rare genius to originate, and the ready hand to execute, and, above all, one who was distinguished for his pure, unself ish, superb patriotism - a patriotism which began its work, by maintaining the cause of the Union with his voiceiand influence and means, abroad, and was sealed with his blood at home. The whole Nation mourned him; its soldier-citizens in admiration, as witnesses Of his deeds; its citizens in grateful acknowledgment as beneficiaries Of his bright example. He took the field, incited by the purest and most unselfish motives, for his country, and, over his bullet-pierced body, that. Country deposited the. Laurel and the oak-leaf crowns bedewed with tears - the tears of every class and sex - such tears as are rarely the tribute paid to the mere soldier, but. Were peculiarly due to the pa'1'rto'r-\varr10r.

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