William S. Harney

Brief Description


      William Selby Harney was born on August 22nd, 1800  and died on May 9th, 1889. Harney was a cavalry officer in the U.S Army during the Mexican and American Wars and the Indian Wars. Harney's military career was launched when his brother Benjamin F. Harney, an Army surgeon  instructed and inspired him to join the U.S Army. However, William was more interested in joining the Army, but convinced the famous general, Andrew Jackson into joining the Navy. After being accepted into the Navy, he entered as the second Lieutenant ,but later on chose to serve under General Andrew Jackson. During the Mexican-American Wars, he was promoted to colonel, and was the commander of the 2nd Dragoons. Harney led attacks against the Sioux on the Battle of Ash Hollow  in 1855, which was where the Sioux were defeated. After the battle, the Sioux called Harney "Woman Killer." This was one of the opening battles in the more than two decades of the Plains Indian Wars commanded by Harney, himself. Harvey was later promoted to brigadier general on June 14, 1858, as he was one of the four general officers in the regular army towards the beginning of the Civil War.

Civil War

       Throughout the Civil War, Harney was not known to do or perform any important deeds that would certainly change the whole concept and image of the Civil War. After conflicts in Missouri, the Missourian Governor Claiborne Jackson (who was more interested in secession rather uniting into one nation ) swore allegiance to the Union in the deal in not joining the Union, but seceding from it. To the Unionist leaders in Missouri, they were no at all pleased about this,  On May 30th, Blair reported all of this to the Lincoln administration in Washington, and was given the order to replace Harney with Lyon. Harney was called to Washington to discuss this situation. However, Harney was captured by Confederates while proceeding through his mission and was offered a command by the famous Confederate General Robert E. Lee. However, he refused the generous offer and was released, peacefully to continue on to Washington, where he was permanently relieved of his command and no longer a major leader of the U.S Army. Upon returning to Washington, Harney remained in Washington, serving in various administrative positions. He retired in 1863, and was promoted to Major General in 1865, in recognition of his long and patriotic loyalty to the Union Army.

Peace Negotiator

     Harney was known not just for his brutality and loyalty in commanding battles, but he was also known as a dedicated peaceful negotiator. Harney was a man, as described by his past Indian rivals, as a man who kept his word. Before even launching attacks in the Mexican-American Wars, Harney insisted in writing letters to both the government and the leaders of the Indian tribes that they were going against, so they would find a peaceful resolution rather then having pointless bloodshed amongst both sides. However, often times the letters would fail and Harney would be forced to fight against the Indians.