William S. Harney (1800–1889)

[William Selby].  American soldier, born near Haysboro, TN, on the 27th of August 1800. He entered the army in 1818 as second lieutenant of the Nineteenth Infantry, and remained in continuous service until 1863, when he was placed on the retired list, having attained the brevet rank of major-general “for long and faithful service,” having refused, although a Southerner by birth, to enter the rebel ranks, in spite of General Robert E. Lee’s earnest appeal. General Harney took part in the Black Hawk War (1833); the Florida and Mexican wars; he completely defeated the Sioux at Sand Hills (1855). After his retirement he lived in St. Louis. He died on the 9th of May 1889.