History of Haysboro, (Davidson County) Tennessee United States of America

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William Selby Harney, soldier, was born near Haysboro, Tenn., Aug, 27, 1800; son of Thomas Harney, an officer of the American army in the war of the Revolution, and brother of John Milton Harney, poet, editor and Dominican monk. He was commissioned in the U.S. army as 2d lieutenant, 19th U.S. infantry, Feb. 13, 1818; 1st lieutenant, Jan. 7, 1819; captain, May 14, 1825; major and paymaster, May 1, 1833; lieutenant-colonel of the 2d dragoons, Aug. 15, 1836; colonel, June 30, 1846; and brigadier-general, June 14, 1858. He engaged in the Black Hawk war, 1833; in the Seminole war, 1839-40, and was brevetted colonel "for gallant and meritorious conduct" in December, 1840. In the Mexican war he was commended for bravery at Medellin, March 25, 1847, and brevetted brigadier-general for gallantry at Cerro Gordo. He was in the Indian country, and on Sept. 3, 1855, defeated the Sioux at Saud Hills on the Platte. He commanded the department of Oregon, 1858-60, and took possession of the island of San Juan, near Vancouver, July 9, 1859. This led to a dispute with Great Britain and the recall of General Harney. He was assigned to the command of the department of the West, with headquarters at St. Louis, and in April, 1861, when en route from Washington, D.C., was arrested by the Virginia troops at Harper's Ferry and taken to Richmond, Va., where he met his old companions in arms, Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston. He was speedily released and returned to Washington. On resuming command at St. Louis he agreed with General Price in command of the Missouri militia, May 21, 1861, to make no military movement within the borders of the state so long as peace was maintained by the existing state government. He was relieved of his command May 29, 1861; continued his residence in St. Louis; was placed on the retired list, Aug. 1, 1863, and was brevetted major-general, March 13, 1865, "for long and faithful services." See Reavis's Life and Military Services, of Gen. William Selby Harney (1887). He died in Orlando, Fla., May 9, 1889.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Haysboro, (Davidson County) Tennessee

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