Sonny Reisch’s Program on Veterans Day

To celebrate Veterans Day, the Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association, (FPK/BTA) hosted a program on Sunday, November 10 at the Kearney Community Hall. HB Puckett talked about Navy ships named USS Wyoming, and that story was posted on Sheridan Media earlier.

Sonny Reisch was the second speaker at the event. Reisch served as superintendent at Fort Phil Kearny, and later as historian and curator at the Fort. He has written and published many articles on the Bozeman Trail and the Indian Wars.

Reisch talked briefly about his friend and colleague Bob Wilson, who was at the fort for many years and passed away in 2023. He added that Wilson was a veteran. “He served,” Reisch said.

Reisch talked about General Philip Kearny, for whom Fort Phil Kearny was named.

In addition to his talk, Reisch had a display, courtesy of Patty Wilson, of a colonel’s uniform, a calvary saddle, and several military hats.

Although it is a colonel’s uniform on display, Reisch said,

He said when people come to the fort, they ask who Phil Kearny was.

Kearny was also irritated if anyone put the ‘e’ in his name between the n and the y, which is the English spelling of Kearny. Reisch said he would throw away letters that were addressed to either Phil Kearny or Philip Kearney, saying his true colleagues, relatives and friends knew how to spell his name.

Kearny served in the Civil War and was known as a brave and daring officer. Before he saw service in the Civil War, Kearny had lost his left arm while fighting in Mexico. It was thought that would end his military career, but it did not and he continued to serve as an officer.

Probably the leading general coming out of the Mexican war, General-in-Chief Winfield Scott paid a tribute to Kearny was the “Bravest man I ever saw and knew, and the most perfect soldiers.” Sonny added that Kearny was a cut above most officers who attended West Point, which Kearny did not.

Tragically, his life was cut short during the Civil War.

Kearny led an interesting life, and he is remembered at Fort Phil Kearny.