# Stephen W. Kearny

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United States general (1794–1848)

Stephen W. Kearny Military Governor of New Mexico In office August 1846 – September 1846 Preceded by Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid Succeeded by Sterling Price 4th Military Governor of California In office February 23, 1847 – May 31, 1847 Preceded by Robert F. Stockton Succeeded by Richard Barnes Mason Personal details Born Stephen Watts Kearny (1794-08-30)August 30, 1794 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Died October 31, 1848(1848-10-31) (aged 54) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Spouse Mary Radford Children 11 (5 of whom survived childhood) Profession Soldier Military service Allegiance United States of America Branch/service Dragoons[1] Years of service 1812–1848 Rank Brigadier General Brevet Major General Unit Cantonment Missouri Commands Jefferson Barracks The Old Guard 1st U.S. Dragoons Army of the West Veracruz Mexico City Battles/wars War of 1812 Battle of Queenston Heights Mexican–American War Capture of Santa Fe Conquest of California

**Stephen Watts Kearny** (sometimes spelled **Kearney**) ([/ˈkɑːrni/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*KAR-nee*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key))[2] (August 30, 1794 – October 31, 1848) was one of the foremost [antebellum](/source/History_of_the_United_States_(1789%E2%80%931849)) [frontier](/source/Frontier) officers of the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army). He is remembered for his significant contributions in the [Mexican–American War](/source/Mexican%E2%80%93American_War), especially the [Conquest of California](/source/Conquest_of_California). The [Kearny Code](/source/Kearny_Code), proclaimed on September 22, 1846, in [Santa Fe](/source/Santa_Fe%2C_New_Mexico), established the law and government of the newly acquired territory of New Mexico and was named after him. His nephew was Major General [Philip Kearny](/source/Philip_Kearny) of [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War) fame.

## Early years

Stephen Watts Kearny was the fifteenth and youngest child of Philip and Susanna Watts Kearny. His father, who was of Irish ancestry (the family name had originally been O'Kearny), was a successful wine merchant and landowner in [Perth Amboy, New Jersey](/source/Perth_Amboy%2C_New_Jersey), before the start of the [American Revolution](/source/American_Revolution) (1775–1783).[3] Kearny was born in [Newark, New Jersey](/source/Newark%2C_New_Jersey), the son of Philip Kearny Sr. and Susanna Watts. His maternal grandparents were the wealthy merchant Robert Watts of New York and Mary Alexander, the daughter of Major General "Lord Stirling" [William Alexander](/source/William_Alexander_(American_general)) and Sarah "Lady Stirling" Livingston of American Revolutionary War fame. Stephen Watts Kearny attended [Columbia University](/source/Columbia_University) in [New York City](/source/New_York_City) for two years. He joined the [New York militia](/source/New_York_Guard) as an ensign in 1812.[4]

## Marriage and family

In the late 1820s, after his career was established, Kearny met, courted, and married Mary Radford, the stepdaughter of [William Clark](/source/William_Clark_(explorer)) of the [Lewis and Clark Expedition](/source/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition). The couple had eleven children, of whom six died in childhood. He was the uncle of [Philip Kearny](/source/Philip_Kearny), a [Union](/source/Union_(American_Civil_War)) general in the American Civil War who was killed at the [Battle of Chantilly](/source/Battle_of_Chantilly).[4]

## Career

Sword and scabbard used during the War of 1812 by Stephen Watts Kearny

In 1812, Kearny was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the [War of 1812](/source/War_of_1812) in the [13th Infantry Regiment](/source/13th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)) in the U.S. Army. On October 13, 1812, during the [Battle of Queenston Heights](/source/Battle_of_Queenston_Heights), Kearny and [Lieutenant Colonel](/source/Lieutenant_Colonel) [Winfield Scott](/source/Winfield_Scott) led a charge that took the British position, but the British retook it when the "untrained militiamen"[5] did not reinforce the U.S. regulars who had taken the objective. "Humiliated, Kearny and Scott were forced to surrender"; wounded and captured, he and Scott spent several months in captivity before being paroled. This experience hardened his prejudice against militias for the rest of his army career. [6] Kearny was promoted to captain on April 1, 1813. After the war, he chose to remain in the U.S. Army and was promoted to [brevet](/source/Brevet_(military)) major in 1823; major in 1829; and lieutenant colonel in 1833. He was assigned to the [western frontier](/source/Western_frontier) under the command of General [Henry Atkinson](/source/Henry_Atkinson_(soldier)). In 1819, he was a member of the expedition to explore the [Yellowstone River](/source/Yellowstone_River) in present-day [Montana](/source/Montana) and [Wyoming](/source/Wyoming). The [Yellowstone Expedition](/source/Yellowstone_Expedition) of 1819 journeyed only as far as present-day [Nebraska](/source/Nebraska), where it established Cantonment Missouri, later renamed [Fort Atkinson](/source/Fort_Atkinson_(Nebraska)). Kearny was also on the 1825 expedition that reached the mouth of the Yellowstone River. During his travels, he kept extensive journals, including his interactions with Native Americans.[4]

In 1826, [Captain](/source/Captain) Kearny was appointed as the first commander of the new [Jefferson Barracks](/source/Jefferson_Barracks) in [Missouri](/source/Missouri) south of [St. Louis](/source/St._Louis%2C_Missouri).[6] While stationed there, he was often invited to the nearby city, the center of fur trade, economics, and politics of the region. By way of [Meriwether Lewis Clark Sr.](/source/Meriwether_Lewis_Clark_Sr.), he was invited as a guest of [William Clark](/source/William_Clark_(explorer)) of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

In 1833, [Lieutenant Colonel](/source/Lieutenant_Colonel) Kearny was appointed second in command of the newly organized [1st Dragoon Regiment](/source/1st_U.S._Dragoons).[6] The U.S. Cavalry eventually grew out of this regiment, which was re-designated the [1st United States Cavalry](/source/1st_Cavalry_Regiment_(United_States)) in 1861, earning Kearny his nickname "father of the United States Cavalry". The regiment was stationed at [Fort Leavenworth](/source/Fort_Leavenworth) in present-day [Kansas](/source/Kansas), and Kearny was promoted to the rank of colonel in command of the regiment in 1836. He was also made commander of the Army's Third Military Department, charged with protecting the frontier and preserving peace among the tribes of Native Americans on the [Great Plains](/source/Great_Plains).[4]

By the early 1840s, when emigrants began traveling along the [Oregon Trail](/source/Oregon_Trail), Kearny often ordered his men to escort the travelers across the plains to avoid attack by the Native Americans. The practice of the military's escorting settlers' wagon trains would become official government policy in succeeding decades. To protect the travelers, Kearny established a new post along [Table Creek](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Table_Creek_(Nebraska)&action=edit&redlink=1) near present-day [Nebraska City, Nebraska](/source/Nebraska_City%2C_Nebraska). The outpost was named [Fort Kearny](/source/Fort_Kearny). However, the Army realized that the site was not well chosen, and the post was moved to its present location on the [Platte River](/source/Platte_River) in central Nebraska.

In May 1845, Kearny marched his 1st Dragoons of 15 officers and 250 men in a column of twos out the gates of Ft. Leavenworth for a nearly four-month-long reconnaissance into the [Rocky Mountains](/source/Rocky_Mountains) and the [South Pass](/source/South_Pass_(Wyoming)), "the gateway to [Oregon](/source/Oregon)." The Dragoons traveled light and fast, hauling 17 supply wagons and driving 50 sheep and 25 cattle. Kearny's Dragoons covered nearly 20 miles (32 km) a day. Upon their approach to [Ft. Laramie](/source/Ft._Laramie), they had traveled nearly 600 miles (970 km) in four weeks. "Barely two weeks later Kearny and his troopers stood atop South Pass, held a regimental muster on the [continental divide](/source/Continental_divide), and turned toward home."[7] He marched his Dragoons down the Rocky Mountains, past the future site of [Denver](/source/Denver), Colorado, then [Bent's Fort](/source/Bent's_Fort), then onto the [Santa Fe Trail](/source/Santa_Fe_Trail). When they returned to Ft. Leavenworth on August 24, 1845, they had successfully conducted a reconnaissance of over 2,000 miles (3,200 km) in 99 days. "The march of the 1st dragoons was truly *an outstanding example of cavalry mobility.*"[7]

### Mexican–American War (1846–1848)

Gen. Kearny proclaiming New Mexico part of the United States, August 15, 1846, on the Plaza in [Las Vegas, New Mexico](/source/Las_Vegas%2C_New_Mexico)

At the outset of the [Mexican–American War](/source/Mexican%E2%80%93American_War), Kearny was promoted to [brigadier general](/source/Brigadier_general_(United_States)) on June 30, 1846, and took a force of about 2,500 men to [Santa Fe, New Mexico](/source/Santa_Fe%2C_New_Mexico). His [Army of the West (1846)](/source/Army_of_the_West_(1846)) consisted of 1,600 men in the volunteer First and Second Regiments of Fort Leavenworth, Missouri Mounted Cavalry regiment under [Alexander Doniphan](/source/Alexander_Doniphan); an artillery and infantry battalion; 300 of Kearny's [1st U.S. Dragoons](/source/1st_U.S._Dragoons) and about 500 members of the [Mormon Battalion](/source/Mormon_Battalion). With this force, and due largely to the behind the scenes and coordinated efforts of U.S. [President Polk](/source/President_Polk), New Mexico Governor Armijo, and the American merchant James Wiley Magoffin, who had 20 years of trading experience in Mexico; Kearny was able to comply with the president's wishes, and conquer New Mexico without firing a shot.[8][9] Kearny established a joint civil and military government, appointing [Charles Bent](/source/Charles_Bent), a prominent Santa Fe Trail trader living in [Taos, New Mexico](/source/Taos%2C_New_Mexico) as acting civil. He divided his forces into four commands: one, under Col. [Sterling Price](/source/Sterling_Price), appointed military governor, was to occupy and maintain order in New Mexico with his approximately 800 men; a second group under Col. [Alexander William Doniphan](/source/Alexander_William_Doniphan), with a little over 800 men was ordered to capture [El Paso](/source/El_Paso%2C_Texas), in the state of [Chihuahua](/source/Chihuahua_(state)), Mexico and then join up with General [John E. Wool](/source/John_E._Wool);[10] the third command of about 300 [dragoons](/source/Dragoon) mounted on mules, he led under his command to California along the [Gila River](/source/Gila_River) trail. The Mormon Battalion, mostly marching on foot under Lt. Col. [Philip St. George Cooke](/source/Philip_St._George_Cooke), was directed to follow Kearny with wagons to blaze a new southern wagon route to California.

On the [plaza](/source/Santa_Fe_Plaza) in Santa Fe, a monument marks a fateful day. Gen. Kearny had entered the city after routing the militia of New Mexico under the command of Governor Armijo and entered a city then undefended but very hostile. He marched to the [plaza](/source/Santa_Fe_Plaza) in front of the Palacio Real, and took down the flag of the state of New Mexico, which he thought was the flag of Mexico. In its place he hoisted the Stars and Stripes and gave the speech which is summarized on the monument. New Mexico was then a state with a democratically constituted government, which Kearny overthrew, installing in its place under the [Kearny Code](/source/Kearny_Code) a military dictatorship. The next year, in 1847, three men pressed the case for the restoration of New Mexico's statehood and its admission to the American Union: [Zachary Taylor](/source/Zachary_Taylor), [Abraham Lincoln](/source/Abraham_Lincoln), and Kearny's rival, [John Charles Frémont](/source/John_Charles_Fr%C3%A9mont). New Mexico's statehood and self-government were not restored until 1912.

#### California

Stephen Watts Kearny's U.S. Dragoons officer's full dress coat in the 1840s

Kearny, per [orders](/source/Military_order_(instruction)) from [President Polk](/source/President_Polk), set out to "[conquer](/source/Conquest) and take possession of [California](/source/California)"[11] on September 25, 1846, with a force of 300 men. En route he encountered [Kit Carson](/source/Kit_Carson), a scout of [John C. Frémont](/source/John_C._Fr%C3%A9mont)'s [California Battalion](/source/California_Battalion), carrying messages back to [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.), on the status of hostilities in California. Kearny learned that California was, at the time of Carson's last information, under American control of the marines and bluejacket sailors of Commodore [Robert F. Stockton](/source/Robert_F._Stockton) of the [U.S. Navy](/source/U.S._Navy)'s [Pacific Squadron](/source/Pacific_Squadron) and Frémont's [California Battalion](/source/California_Battalion). Kearny asked Carson to guide him back to California while he sent Carson's messages east with a different courier. Kearny sent 200 dragoons back to Santa Fe believing that California was secure. After traveling almost 2,000 miles (3,200 km) his weary 100 dragoons and most of his nearly worn-out mounts were replaced by untrained mules purchased from a mule herder's herd being driven to Santa Fe from California. On a trip across the [Colorado Desert](/source/Colorado_Desert)[12] to [San Diego](/source/History_of_San_Diego%2C_California) Kearny encountered marine Major [Archibald H. Gillespie](/source/Archibald_H._Gillespie) and about 30 men with news of an ongoing [Californio](/source/Californio) revolt in [Los Angeles](/source/History_of_Los_Angeles).

On a wet day, December 6, 1846, Kearny's forces encountered [Andrés Pico](/source/Andr%C3%A9s_Pico) (Californio Governor [Pio Pico](/source/Pio_Pico)'s brother) and a force of about 150 [Californio](/source/Californio) [Lancers](/source/Lancers). With most of his men mounted on weary untrained mules, his command executed an uncoordinated attack of Pico's force. They found most of their powder wet and pistols and carbines would not fire. They soon found their mules and cavalry sabers were poor defense against Californio Lancers mounted on well-trained horses. Kearny's column, along with the small force of Marines and volunteer militia, suffered defeat. About 18 men of Kearny's force were killed; retreating to a hilltop to dry their powder and treat their wounded, they were surrounded by Andre Pico's forces. Kearny was slightly wounded in this encounter, the [Battle of San Pasqual](/source/Battle_of_San_Pasqual). Kit Carson got through Pico's men and returned to San Diego. Commodore Stockton sent a combined force of [U.S. Marine](/source/U.S._Marine) and U.S. Navy bluejacket sailors under Capt. [Archibald H. Gillespie](/source/Archibald_H._Gillespie) (USMC),[13] and Lieutenant [Edward F. Beale](/source/Edward_F._Beale) (USN), to relieve Kearny's column. The U.S. forces quickly drove out the Californios. In January 1847 a combined force of about 600 men consisting of Kearny's dragoons, Stockton's marines and sailors, and two companies of Frémont's [California Battalion](/source/California_Battalion) won the [Battle of Rio San Gabriel](/source/Battle_of_Rio_San_Gabriel) and the [Battle of La Mesa](/source/Battle_of_La_Mesa) and retook control of Los Angeles on January 10, 1847. The Californio forces in California capitulated on January 13 to Lt. Col. John C. Frémont and his [California Battalion](/source/California_Battalion). The [Treaty of Cahuenga](/source/Treaty_of_Cahuenga) ended the fighting of the Mexican–American War in Alta California on that date. Kearny and Stockton decided to accept the liberal terms offered by Frémont to terminate hostilities, despite [Andrés Pico](/source/Andr%C3%A9s_Pico)'s breaking his earlier, solemn pledge that he would not fight U.S. forces.

As the ranking Army officer, and per orders from President Polk,[14] Kearny claimed command of California at the end of hostilities despite the fact that California was initially brought under U.S. control by Commodore Stockton's,[a] [Pacific Squadron](/source/Pacific_Squadron)'s forces. This began a rivalry with Stockton, whose rank was equivalent to a rear admiral (lower half) today. Kearny had the same equivalent rank (one star) and unfortunately, the [War Department](/source/United_States_Department_of_War) had not worked out a protocol for who would be in charge. Stockton seized on the treaty of capitulation and appointed Frémont [military governor of California](/source/California_interim_government_1846-1850).

In July 1846, Col. [Jonathan D. Stevenson](/source/Jonathan_D._Stevenson) of New York was asked to raise a volunteer regiment of 10 companies of 77 men each to go to California with the understanding that they would muster out and stay in California. They were designated the [1st Regiment of New York Volunteers](/source/1st_Regiment_of_New_York_Volunteers) and fought in the [California Campaign](/source/Bear_Flag_Revolt) and the [Pacific Coast Campaign](/source/Pacific_Coast_Campaign). In August 1846 and September the regiment trained and prepared for the trip to California. Three private merchant ships, *Thomas H Perkins*, *Loo Choo* and *Susan Drew*, were chartered, and the sloop [USS *Preble*](/source/USS_Preble_(1839)) was assigned convoy detail. On 26 September the four ships left New York for California. Fifty men who had been left behind for various reasons sailed on November 13, 1846, on the small storeship USS Brutus. The *Susan Drew* and *Loo Choo* reached [Valparaíso](/source/Valpara%C3%ADso), Chile by January 20, 1847, and after getting fresh supplies, water and wood were on their way again by January 23. The *Perkins* did not stop until San Francisco, reaching port on March 6, 1847. The *Susan Drew* arrived on March 20 and the *Loo Choo* arrived on March 16, 183 days after leaving New York. The *Brutus* finally arrived on April 17.

After desertions and deaths in transit the four ships brought 648 men to California. The companies were then deployed throughout Upper (*Alta*) and Lower (*Baja*) California from San Francisco to [La Paz, Mexico](/source/La_Paz%2C_Baja_California_Sur). These troops finally allowed Kearny to assume command of California as ranking Army officer. The troops essentially took over all of the [Pacific Squadron](/source/Pacific_Squadron)'s on-shore military and [garrison](/source/Garrison) duties and the [California Battalion](/source/California_Battalion) and [Mormon Battalion](/source/Mormon_Battalion)'s garrison duties as well as some [Baja California](/source/Baja_California) duties.

With all these reinforcements in hand Kearny assumed command, appointed his own territorial military governor and ordered Frémont to resign and accompany him back to [Fort Leavenworth](/source/Fort_Leavenworth), Kansas. On Kearny and Frémont's trip back east on the [California Trail](/source/California_Trail), accompanied by some members of the Mormon Battalion who had re-enlisted, they found and buried some of the [Donner Party](/source/Donner_Party)'s remains on their trip over the [Sierra Nevadas](/source/Sierra_Nevada_(U.S.)). Once at Fort Leavenworth, Frémont was restricted to barracks and ordered court-martialed for insubordination and willfully disregarding an order. A [court martial](/source/Court_martial) convicted Frémont and ordered that he receive a [dishonorable discharge](/source/Dishonorable_discharge), but President [James K. Polk](/source/James_K._Polk) quickly commuted Frémont's sentence due to services he had rendered over his career. Frémont resigned his commission in disgust and settled in California.[15] In 1847 Frémont purchased the [Rancho Las Mariposas](/source/Rancho_Las_Mariposas), a large land grant in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains near [Yosemite](/source/Yosemite_National_Park), which proved to be rich in gold. Frémont was later elected one of the first U.S. senators from California and was the first presidential candidate of the new [Republican Party](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) in 1856.

### Governorship and last years

Kearny's grave at Bellefontaine Cemetery

Kearny remained military governor of California until May 31, when he set out overland across the California Trail to Washington, D.C., and was welcomed as a hero.[16] He was appointed governor of [Veracruz](/source/Veracruz_(city)), and later of [Mexico City](/source/Mexico_City). He also received a brevet promotion to [major general](/source/Major_general_(United_States)) in September 1848, over the heated opposition of Frémont's father-in-law, Senator [Thomas Hart Benton](/source/Thomas_Hart_Benton_(senator)).

After contracting [yellow fever](/source/Yellow_fever) in Veracruz, Kearny had to return to St. Louis. He died there on October 31, 1848, at the age of 54. He was buried at [Bellefontaine Cemetery](/source/Bellefontaine_Cemetery), now a [National Historic Landmark](/source/National_Historic_Landmark) in St. Louis.

## Legacy and memory

Historian [Allan Nevins](/source/Allan_Nevins), examining his attacks on Frémont, states that Kearny:

was a stern-tempered soldier who made few friends and many enemies – who has been justly characterized by the most careful historian of the period, [Justin H. Smith](/source/Justin_Harvey_Smith), as "grasping, jealous, domineering, and harsh." Possessing these traits, feeling his pride stung by his defeat at San Pasqual, and anxious to assert his authority, he was no sooner in Los Angeles than he quarreled bitterly with Stockton; and Frémont was not only at once involved in this quarrel, but inherited the whole burden of it as soon as Stockton left the country.[17]

Kearny "was simply, a professional soldier's soldier, and he "may have been the only general in the Mexican War who *did not* long to become president.[18]

Kearny is the namesake of [Kearny, Arizona](/source/Kearny%2C_Arizona) and [Kearney, Nebraska](/source/Kearney%2C_Nebraska). [Kearny, New Jersey](/source/Kearny%2C_New_Jersey) near Kearny's place of birth, is named after his nephew, [Philip Kearny Jr.](/source/Philip_Kearny) of American Civil War fame. Many schools are named after Kearny, including Kearny Elementary in Santa Fe, New Mexico and [Kearny High School](/source/Kearny_High_School_(San_Diego%2C_California)) in the San Diego neighborhood of [Kearny Mesa](/source/Kearny_Mesa%2C_San_Diego). [Kearny Street](/source/Kearny_Street), in downtown San Francisco, is also named for him, as is a street within Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. [Camp Kearny](/source/Camp_Kearny) in San Diego, a U.S. military base which operated from 1917 to 1946 on the site of today's [Marine Corps Air Station Miramar](/source/Marine_Corps_Air_Station_Miramar), was named in his honor. [Fort Kearny](/source/Fort_Kearny) in Nebraska is also named for him.

Two U.S. [postage stamps](/source/Postage_stamp) relate to Kearny. [Scott catalog](/source/Scott_catalog) number 970, printed in 1948, commemorates Fort Kearny, and number 944, issued in 1946, the capture of Santa Fe. The accuracy of the latter's depiction has been questioned.[19]

Actor Robert Anderson (1920–1996) played General Kearny in the 1966 episode "The Firebrand" of the [syndicated](/source/Television_syndication) [western](/source/Western_(genre)) [television series](/source/Television_series) *[Death Valley Days](/source/Death_Valley_Days)*. [Gregg Barton](/source/Gregg_Barton) was cast as [Commodore](/source/Commodore_(rank)) [Robert F. Stockton](/source/Robert_F._Stockton), with [Gerald Mohr](/source/Gerald_Mohr) as [Andrés Pico](/source/Andr%C3%A9s_Pico) and Will Kuluva as [Pio Pico](/source/Pio_Pico). The episode is set in 1848 with the establishment of [California Territory](/source/California_Territory) and the tensions between the outgoing [Mexican](/source/Mexico) government and the incoming American governor.[20]

Stephen W. Kearny is the default name of the United States hero unit in *[Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition](/source/Age_of_Empires_III%3A_Definitive_Edition)*.

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Stockton appointed Marine Corps Capt. Gillespie temporary military governor/mayor of Los Angeles in 1846. California was conquered. Then the people of Los Angeles revolted, forcing Gillespie and his men to evacuate to ships waiting in Los Angeles harbor (San Pedro). When Kearny arrived at San Pasqual, California was *not* a conquered country. California would be conquered in 1847.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Gorenfeld, Will; Gorenfeld, John (2016). [*Kearny's Dragoons Out West: The Birth of the U.S. Cavalry*](https://books.google.com/books?id=9OYbDQAAQBAJ). Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 12–13. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780806156569](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780806156569).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Howe, Daniel Walker (2007). [*What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815–1848*](https://archive.org/details/whathathgodwroug0000howe/page/n2/mode/1up). The Oxford History of the United States. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 758. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-507894-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-507894-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Stephen Watts Kearny | Encyclopedia.com"](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/us-history-biographies/stephen-watts-kearny).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Fredriksen,_1999_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Fredriksen,_1999_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Fredriksen,_1999_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Fredriksen,_1999_4-3) Fredriksen, 1999.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGorenfeldGorenfeld201627–28_5-0)** [Gorenfeld & Gorenfeld 2016](#CITEREFGorenfeldGorenfeld2016), p. 27–28.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGorenfeldGorenfeld201627_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGorenfeldGorenfeld201627_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGorenfeldGorenfeld201627_6-2) [Gorenfeld & Gorenfeld 2016](#CITEREFGorenfeldGorenfeld2016), p. 27.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Franklin_p._vii_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Franklin_p._vii_7-1) Franklin (1979) p. vii

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Gibson, George Rutledge (1974) [1935]. Bieber, Ralph P. (ed.). [*Journal of a Soldier under Kearny and Doniphan, 1846-1847*](https://archive.org/details/journalofsoldier0000gibs/page/n10/mode/1up). Southwest Historical Series No. 5. Philadelphia: Porcupine Press. pp. 55–87. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0879913037](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0879913037). [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [74007157](https://lccn.loc.gov/74007157) – via Internet Archive.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Drumm, Stella M. (1926). Introduction. [*Down the Santa Fé Trail and into Mexico: The Diary of Susan Shelby Magoffin, 1846-1847*](https://archive.org/details/down-the-santa-fe-trail-diary-of-susan-shelby-magoffin-1846-1847-1926/page/n3/mode/1up). By Magoffin, Susan Shelby. Drumm, Stella M. (ed.). New Haven: Yale University Press. pp. xxviii–xxiv. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [26018003](https://lccn.loc.gov/26018003).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [John E. Wool](http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexican-war/general-john-wool.htm), [Kansas University](http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/dawdon.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060901133902/http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/dawdon.html) September 1, 2006, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Briggs, Carl; Trudell, Clyde Francis (1983). [*Quarterdeck & Saddlehorn: The Story of Edward F. Beale, 1822-1893*](https://archive.org/details/quarterdecksaddl0000brig/page/n6/mode/1up). Glendale, California: Arthur H. Clark. p. 54. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0870621483](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0870621483). [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [82074410](https://lccn.loc.gov/82074410) – via Internet Archive.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [James, George Wharton](/source/George_Wharton_James) (May 1906). ["The Colorado Desert: As General Kearney Saw It"](https://books.google.com/books?id=9qvwAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA389). *The Four-Track News*. Vol. 10, no. 5. New York: George H. Daniels. pp. 389–93. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [214967241](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/214967241).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Downey, Joseph T., Ordinary Seaman, USN; Editor Lamar, Howard. (1963). P. 170. *The Cruise of the Portsmouth, 1845-1847, a Sailor's View of the Naval Conquest of California.* Yale University Press.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Briggs_p._54_14-0)** Briggs, Carl and Trudell, Clyde Francis. (1983). P. 54. *Quarterdeck & Saddlehorn, The Story of Edward F. Beale 1822-1893.* The Arthur H. Clark Company, Glendale. California.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Borneman, Walter R., *Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America*. New York,: Random House Books, 2008, pp. 284–85.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Ruhge, Justin (February 8, 2016). ["The Mexican War and California: Monterey's Presidio Occupied and Improved"](http://www.militarymuseum.org/MP.html). *militarymuseum.org*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Allan Nevins, *Frémont, Pathmarker of the West* (University of Nebraska Press, 1992), p. 306.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Gorenfeld & Gorenfeld p. 252

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [Trail dust: 'Questionable' drawing plucked as stamp image](https://archive.today/20120913162646/http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/-Questionable--drawing-plucked-as-stamp-image)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [""The Firebrand" on *Death Valley Days*"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0556783/?ref_=tt_ep_pr). [Internet Movie Database](/source/IMDb). March 24, 1966. Retrieved September 10, 2015.

## Further reading

- Clarke, Dwight L. (1962). [*Stephen Watts Kearny: Soldier of the West*](https://archive.org/details/stephenwattskear00clar/page/n6/mode/1up). Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [61-15148](https://lccn.loc.gov/61-15148) – via Internet Archive.

- Clarke, Dwight L.; Ruhlen, George (March 1964). ["The Final Roster of the Army of the West, 1846-1847"](https://archive.org/details/californiahistor43cali/page/36/mode/1up). *The California Historical Society Quarterly*. **43** (1). San Francisco: California Historical Society: 37–44. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0008-1175](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0008-1175) – via Internet Archive.

- Fleek, Sherman L. (Summer 2011). "The Kearny/Stockton/Frémont Feud: The Mormon Battalion's Most Significant Contribution in California". *Journal of Mormon History*. **37** (3). Salt Lake City: Mormon History Association: 229–257. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2307/23292728](https://doi.org/10.2307%2F23292728). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0094-7342](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0094-7342).

- [Franklin, William B.](/source/William_B._Franklin) (1979). Schubert, Frank N. (ed.). [*March to South Pass: Lieutenant William B. Franklin's Journal of the Kearny Expedition of 1845*](https://archive.org/details/marchtosouthpass00wash/page/n5/mode/1up). Engineer Historical Studies No. 1. Washington: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Historical Division. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [79603510](https://lccn.loc.gov/79603510) – via Internet Archive.

- Fredriksen, John C. ["Kearny, Stephen Watts (30 August 1794–31 October 1848)"](https://doi.org/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0300255), *American National Biography* (1999)

- [Griffin, John S.](/source/John_Strother_Griffin) (1943). Ames, George Walcott Jr. (ed.). *A Doctor Comes to California: The Diary of John S. Griffin, Assistant Surgeon with Kearny's Dragoons, 1846-1847*. California Historical Society Special Publications, No. 18. San Francisco: California Historical Society. [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [02106177](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/02106177).

- Myers, Harry C. (Autumn 1982). ["From the Crack of the Frontier: Letters of Thomas and Charlotte Swords"](https://www.kansashistory.gov/publicat/history/1982autumn_myers.pdf) (PDF). *Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains*. **5** (3). Topeka: Kansas State Historical Society: 184–213. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0149-9114](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0149-9114).

- Peet, Mary Rockwood (1949). [*San Pasqual, A Crack in the Hills*](https://archive.org/details/sanpasqualcracki00peet/page/n11/mode/1up). Culver City, California: Highland Press. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [49005197](https://lccn.loc.gov/49005197) – via Internet Archive.

- Roberts, Elizabeth, Judson. (1917). *Indian Stories of the Southwest*. San Francisco, Harr Wagner Publishing Co.

- Turner, Henry Smith (1966). Clarke, Dwight L. (ed.). [*The Original Journals of Henry Smith Turner: With Stephen Watts Kearny to New Mexico and California, 1846-1847*](https://archive.org/details/originaljournals00turn). American Exploration and Travel Series. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [66022721](https://lccn.loc.gov/66022721) – via Internet Archive.

- [United States Army Corps of Topographical Engineers](/source/United_States_Army_Corps_of_Topographical_Engineers) (1951). Calvin, Ross (ed.). [*Lieutenant Emory reports: A Reprint of Lieutenant W.H. Emory's Notes of a Military Reconnoissance*](https://archive.org/details/lieutenantemoryr00unit/mode/1up). Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [51010795](https://lccn.loc.gov/51010795) – via Internet Archive.

- Woodward, Arthur (1948). [*Lances at San Pascual*](https://archive.org/details/lancesatsanpascu0000arth/page/n4/mode/1up). California Historical Society Special Publication No. 22. San Francisco: California Historical Society. [LCCN](/source/LCCN_(identifier)) [48002626](https://lccn.loc.gov/48002626) – via Internet Archive.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Stephen W. Kearny](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Stephen_W._Kearny).

[Wikisource](/source/Wikisource) has the text of a 1892 *[Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography](/source/Appletons'_Cyclop%C3%A6dia_of_American_Biography)* article about ***[Stephen W. Kearny](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Appletons%27_Cyclop%C3%A6dia_of_American_Biography/Kearny,_Lawrence)***.

- ["Stephen W. Kearny"](https://archive.today/20130113053616/http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/biographies/stephen_kearny.html), *Mexican–American War*, PBS

- [A Continent Divided: The U.S. - Mexico War](http://library.uta.edu/usmexicowar/index.php), Center for Greater Southwestern Studies, the University of Texas at Arlington

- [Photo, US Dragoons officer's full dress coat, of Stephen W. Kearny](http://contentdm.mohistory.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/MuseumColl&CISOPTR=98&CISOBOX=1&REC=3), Missouri History Museum, St. Louis

- [General Stephen Watts Kearny](https://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nmswkdar/) Stephens Watts Kearny Chapter (Santa Fe, New Mexico) of the Daughters of the American Revolution (painting of a youthful Kearny)

v t e Governors of New Mexico U.S. Military Admin (1846–1851) Military Kearny Price Washington Munroe Civilian Bent Vigil Connelly U.S. Territory (1851–1912) Calhoun Lane Meriwether Rencher Connelly Mitchell Pile Giddings Axtell Wallace Sheldon Ross Prince Thornton Otero Hagerman Curry Mills State (since 1912) McDonald C. De Baca Lindsey Larrazolo M. Mechem Hinkle Hannett Dillon Seligman Hockenhull Tingley Miles Dempsey Mabry E. Mechem Simms E. Mechem Burroughs E. Mechem Bolack Campbell Cargo King Apodaca King Anaya Carruthers King Johnson Richardson Martinez Lujan Grisham See also Mexican governors of New Mexico, Spanish governors of New Mexico

v t e Governors of California Under Spain (1769–1822) Capt. Portolá Col. Fages Capt. Rivera Capt-Gen. de Neve Col. Fages Capt. Roméu Capt. Arrillaga Col. Bórica Lt. Col. Alberní Capt. Arrillaga Capt. J. Argüello Don Solá Under Mexico (1822–1846) Capt. L. Argüello Lt. Col. Echeandía Gen. Victoria Don P. Pico Lt. Col. Echeandía Brig. Gen. Figueroa Lt. Col. Castro Lt. Col. Gutiérrez Col. Chico Lt. Col. Gutiérrez Pres. Alvarado · Carrillo (rival) Brig. Gen. Micheltorena Don P. Pico Under U.S. military (1846–1850) Cdre. Sloat Cdre. Stockton · Gen. Flores (rival) Gen. Kearny · Maj. Frémont (mutineer) Gen. Mason Gen. Smith Gen. Riley U.S. state (since 1850) Burnett McDougal Bigler J. Johnson Weller Latham Downey Stanford Low Haight Booth Pacheco Irwin Perkins Stoneman Bartlett Waterman Markham Budd Gage Pardee Gillett H. Johnson Stephens Richardson Young Rolph Merriam Olson Warren Knight P. Brown Reagan J. Brown Deukmejian Wilson Davis Schwarzenegger J. Brown Newsom Before 1850 Since 1850 By education Spouses

v t e Heads of government of Mexico City 1824–1917 Before the formal declaration Melchor Múzquiz Manuel Gómez Pedraza Governors of the Federal District Jose María Mendivil Juan Manuel de Elizalde Francisco Molinos del Campo Juan Manuel de Elizalde José Ignacio Esteva José María Tornel José Ignacio Esteva Augustine of F. Lebrija Miguel Cervantes Francisco Fagoaga Ignacio Martínez José Joaquín de Herrera Ignacio Martínez José Ignacio Esteva José María Tornel Ramón Rayón José Gómez de la Cortina Manuel Fernández Madrid Francisco García Conde Luis G. Vieyra Governors of the Department of Mexico Agustín Vicente Eguia José María Icaza José Fernando de Peredo Luis G. Vieyra Miguel González Calderón Luis G. Vieyra José María Barrera Luis G. Vieyra Francis O. Zarate Luis G. Vieyra Valentín Canalizo Manuel Rincón Ignacio Inclán Governors of the Federal District (reinstatement) José Guadalupe Covarrubias Vicente Romero Juan José Baz Jose Ramon Malo Governors of the City Council of Mexico (U.S. Invasion) Manuel Reyes Veramendi Francisco Juárez Iriarte John M. Flores y Terán José Ramón Malo Head of the Federal District (American) Winfield Scott William O. Butler Stephen W. Kearny Governors of the Federal District (second reinstatement) Pedro Torrín Pedro María de Anaya Miguel Azcarate Antonio Díaz Bonilla Juan José Baz Governors of the Federal District (Constitution of 1857) Augustine Alcerreca Justin Fernández Juan José Baz Anastasio Parrodi Ángel Frías José María González de Mendoza Joseph S. Aramberri Manuel Terreros Ponciano Arriaga José María González de Mendoza John J. of the Heron John H. Mateos Joaquin Mayor Manuel Ramos Miguel Maria Azcarate Manuel Garcia Aguirre Governors of the Department of Mexico (Reform War) Rómulo Díaz de la Vega Francis G. Casanova Governors of the Department of Mexico (Second Empire) José del Villar Bocanegra Manuel Campero Mariano Icaza Thomas O'Hora Governors of the Federal District (Restored Republic) Porfirio Díaz Juan José Baz Francis H. Velez Francisco Paz Gabino Bustamante Alfredo Chavero José María Castro Tiburcio Montiel Joaquín A. Pérez Protasio G. Tagle Agustín del Rio Juan Crisostomo Bonilla Luis C. Curiel Carlos Pacheco Villalobos Ramón Fernández Carlos Rivas José Ceballos Manuel Domínguez Manuel Terreros Pedro Rincón Gallardo Nicolás Island and Bustamante Rafael Rebollar Guillermo de Landa y Escandón Ramón Corral Guillermo de Landa y Escandón Samuel García Cuellar Governors of the Federal District (Madero Revolution) Alberto García Granados Ignacio Rivero Federico González Garza Governors of the Federal District (Government of Victoriano Huerta) Alberto Yarza Samuel García Cuellar Ramón Corona Eduardo Iturbide Governors of the Federal District (Constitutionalist Revolution) Alfredo Robles Domínguez Heriberto Jara Corona Juan Gutiérrez R. Governors of the Federal District (Conventional Government) Vicente Navarro Manuel Chao Vito Alessio Robles Magana Cerda Governor of Valley of Mexico (Constitutional Government) César López de Lara 1917–present Governors of the Federal District (Constitution of 1917) Gonzalo de la Mata César López de Lara Governors of the Federal District (Carrancistas) Alfredo Breceda Arnulfo González Alfredo Breceda Benito Flores Manuel Rueda Magro Governors of the Federal District (Obregón) Manuel Gómez Noriega Celestino Gasca Jorge Prieto Laurens Ramón Ross Abel Rodríguez Ramón Ross Francisco Serrano Primo Villa Michel Heads of the Federal District Department (Regents) José Manuel Puig Casauranc Crisóforo Ibáñez Lamberto Hernández Enrique Romero Courtade Lorenzo Hernandez Vicente Estrada Cajigal Manuel Padilla John G. Cabral Aarón Sáenz Garza Cosme Hinojosa José Siurob Ramírez Governor of Federal District (Regents) Javier Rojo Gómez Heads of the Federal District Department (Regents) Fernando Casas Germán Ernesto P. Uruchurtu Alfonso Corona del Rosal Alfonso Martínez Domínguez Octavio Gómez Senties Carlos Hank González Ramón Aguirre Velázquez Manuel Camacho Solís Manuel Aguilera Gómez Óscar Espinosa Villarreal Heads of Government of the Federal District (1997–2015) Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas Rosario Robles (interim) Andrés Manuel López Obrador Alejandro Encinas Rodríguez (interim) Marcelo Ebrard Miguel Ángel Mancera Heads of Government of Mexico City (since 2015) Miguel Ángel Mancera José Ramón Amieva (interim) Claudia Sheinbaum Martí Batres (interim) Clara Brugada

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Netherlands Israel Belgium People Trove Deutsche Biographie Other Open Library NARA SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Stephen W. Kearny](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_W._Kearny) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_W._Kearny?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.