William S. Harney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Selby Harney
Bvt. Maj. Gen. William S. Harney
Born	(1800-08-22)August 22, 1800 Madison, Tennessee, US
Died	May 9, 1889(1889-05-09) (aged 88) Orlando, Florida, US
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1818–1863
Rank	Brigadier General Brevet Major General
Unit	1st U.S. Infantry
Commands held	2nd U.S. Dragoons Military Department Number Five Department of Oregon Department of the West
Battles/wars	Indian Wars Seminole Wars Blackhawk War Sioux Wars Mexican–American War Pig War Utah War Bleeding Kansas American Civil War
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William Selby Harney (August 22, 1800 – May 9, 1889) was an important cavalry officer in the U.S. Army. He was born in Tennessee and became famous during the Indian Wars and the Mexican–American War.

At the start of the American Civil War, Harney was one of only four generals in the U.S. Army. He was later removed from his command because some thought he supported the Southern states. However, he helped keep Missouri from joining the Confederacy. After the war, he worked with President Andrew Johnson on the Indian Peace Commission. He helped create several peace agreements with Native American tribes.

Early Life and Military Start

William Harney was born on August 27, 1800, in Haysborough, Tennessee. This community was near the Cumberland River. His father, Thomas Harney, was also an army officer.

In 1817, William's brother, Dr. Benjamin F. Harney, helped him join the military. William met important officers and impressed them. President James Monroe signed his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. However, Harney chose to serve in the army under General Andrew Jackson.

His first army job was in 1818 with the 1st U.S. Infantry. He helped make the pirate Jean Lafitte move his operations.

First Encounters with Native Americans

In 1825, Harney began working with Native American tribes on the Great Plains. He joined an expedition to sign treaties with tribes along the Missouri River.

In 1832, Harney fought in the Black Hawk War. This war was against the Sauk and Fox tribes. He served as an assistant to General Zachary Taylor. During this time, he met and became friends with Jefferson Davis, who was also an army officer.

Fighting in the Seminole War

During the Second Seminole War (1835–1842), Harney became known as a tough fighter. He led daring raids against the Seminole people. Harney and his troops often fought against the Seminole leader Sam Jones.

In one fight, Harney's men accidentally shot Itee, Sam Jones's wife. Harney chose not to use her as a bargaining chip. Instead, he ordered her to be left comfortably outside the U.S. Army camp. This allowed her husband to retrieve her later that night.

Service in the Mexican-American War

During the Mexican–American War, Harney became a colonel. He commanded the 2nd Dragoons, a type of cavalry unit. His unit fought in battles like the Battle of Buena Vista and the Siege of Veracruz.

Harney was sometimes difficult to work with. He was even put on trial by a military court. However, President James K. Polk decided that Harney should keep his command.

Harney fought well in battles like Battle of Cerro Gordo and the Battle for Mexico City. He was promoted to brevet brigadier general. After the war, he became a founding member of the Aztec Club of 1847. This club was for American officers who served in Mexico.

Conflicts on the Great Plains

In 1849, Harney took command of Military Department Number Five in Texas. His job was to control Native American raids. This led to parts of the Sioux Wars.

In 1854, Harney led a mission against the Sioux people. This was after a small U.S. Army group was killed in Nebraska Territory. This event was called the Grattan Massacre.

In the Battle of Ash Hollow in 1855, Harney's troops attacked a Brulé Lakota village. About half of the 250 people in the village were killed. This included women and children who had hidden in a cave. Cannons were fired into the cave, as the soldiers mistakenly thought they were warriors. This event is sometimes called the "Harney Massacre."

After this attack, the Lakota people gave Harney a name that meant "Mad Bear." He also earned the name "Woman Killer" from the Sioux due to his actions at Blue Water Creek.

Harney also briefly commanded troops during the Utah War. He was then sent to deal with fighting in Bleeding Kansas.

The Pig War Incident

Harney was later put in charge of the Department of Oregon. He sent Captain George E. Pickett and troops to San Juan Island. This action started the Pig War with British forces. The U.S. Army called Harney back to St. Louis after these problems with the British.

By 1858, Harney was promoted to brigadier general. At 61, he was the youngest of the four generals in the regular army.

Harney and the American Civil War

When the American Civil War began, Harney was in charge of the Army's Department of the West in St. Louis, Missouri. Missouri's governor, Claiborne Fox Jackson, supported leaving the Union. However, most Missourians wanted to stay with the Union.

In May 1861, a Union force captured a state militia group in St. Louis. This led to a riot, which upset Harney. He tried to calm things down. He made an agreement with State Guard Commander Sterling Price. This agreement, called the Price–Harney Truce, said that the State Guard would control most of Missouri. Federal troops would stay near St. Louis.

Union leaders in Missouri did not like this agreement. Harney's loyalty was also questioned because he was from Tennessee. So, he was replaced by Captain Nathaniel Lyon.

Harney was called to Washington, D.C. to discuss the situation. On his way, he was captured by Confederate soldiers. They offered him a command in the Confederate army, but he refused. Because he was from Tennessee, his captors released him.

Harney stayed in Washington and worked in administrative jobs. He retired in 1863. In 1865, he was given the honorary rank of major general for his long career.

Later Years and Legacy

After the Civil War, President Andrew Johnson asked Harney to join the Indian Peace Commission. Harney returned to the Great Plains in 1865 and 1867 to negotiate treaties.

Harney urged the U.S. Congress to honor past treaties. Because of this, the Sioux people called him the "man-who-always-kept-his-word." He helped with important treaties like the Little Arkansas Treaty (1865) and the Fort Laramie Treaty (1868).

Harney later retired to Pass Christian, Mississippi. He often talked about old times with his friend Jefferson Davis. After Davis died, Harney moved to Orlando, Florida, where he passed away.

Harney died in 1889. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Harney is remembered as a complex figure. He was an "Indian Fighter" but later became known as an "Indian Defender" for trying to keep peace treaty terms.

Historic Site to Visit

The Maj. Gen. William S. Harney Summer Home is in Sullivan, Missouri. It is privately owned by the Harney Mansion Foundation. You can arrange visits to the home through the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Places Named for Harney

Many places are named after William Harney:

• Harney Park, Portland, Oregon
• Harney Channel, a waterway in the San Juan Islands (renamed Cayou Channel in 2022)
• Harney, Nevada
• Harney County, Oregon
• Harney Lake in Oregon
• Harney Street in Omaha, Nebraska
• Harney Peak in South Dakota (later renamed Black Elk Peak, as it is a holy area for the Sioux)
• Harney Point in Cape Coral, Florida
• Lake Harney in central Florida
• Harney Sports Complex at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
• Harney River in Everglades National Park