Officer wearing Kearny Cross

Carte de visite by unidentified photographer. This unidentified officer wears a Kearny Cross pinned to his uniform coat. The medal was created in honor of Maj. Gen. Philip Kearny of New Jersey, who was killed in action at the Battle of Chantilly, Va., on Sept. 1, 1862. The medal was presented to all officers who served in the late general's First Division of the Third Army Corps. The forage cap displayed in this image features the brass infantry horn indicating his branch of the military. In the center of the horn is the number "1," which suggests he belonged to the first regiment. The only regiment in the division that fits this designation is the First New York Infantry. The officer wears a ring with an emblem, perhaps masonic, on the ring finger of his left hand.