Series: Harney Re-Examined: A New Look at a Forgotten Figure

"This monster, Harney" was how a contemporary newspaper described General William Harney. While in uniform, William Harney massacred Native American civilians, murdered a young enslaved mother, killed multiple dogs, was court martialed four times, and nearly start a war with the UK. Today he is largely forgotten but his name adorns a river, a school, a lake, a county, a park, streets, a hot springs, and many other places. This article series asks, who was Harney?