In the Civil War Kearny distinguished himself during the Peninsula Campaign, rising to major general. In the build-up to that campaign, 2nd Lt. George Armstrong Custer served as Kearny's aide and it is said that Kearny drummed into Custer the maxim that, “fortune favors the brave.” Ignoring a demand to surrender at the Battle of Chantilly, in the midst of a fierce storm, Kearny was fatally felled by a single bullet which struck his spine. Scarce ink signature, “P. Kearny,” on a light gray clipped slip. Matted with a very nice engraved portrait of Kearny, to an overall size of 14.75 x 19. In fine condition, with some light toning, horizontal fold under signature, and a vertical fold through first initial. R&R COA.
