Thomas F. Harney

[SSlater]

(03-15-2015 10:51 PM)SSlater Wrote:  This is for anyone working on Harney.
I'm working on Harney AGAIN. This time I see his record differently this time (See "U.S. Army Enlistments,1798 - 1914, Thomas F Harney") It says he enlisted 23 Jan. 1853 for 5 years and was discharged 23 Dec. 1858 - Expiration of service. HE DID NOT DESERT.
This is not earth shaking, and we may not find him sooner, but we should be working with the correct information.
The man just above him - enlisted the same day - same place, HE-
deserted 28 June 1854.
Stay tuned in....

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Up to this point, we generally agree that he snuck off to some prairie town and hid for the rest of his life, under another name.
Maybe not. Harney has spent most of his life at war. (5 years in the U.S. Army + 4 years in the Rebel Army.) and has gotten good at it.
I think he might have continued this "profession" and joined the "Fenians". That was an Irish Brotherhood, in the U. S., that was trying to help the "Homeland" in their fight with the British. The Fenians decided to invade Canada, and hold it, until the Homeland was made Free.
In 1866, The Brotherhood gathered in Buffalo, NY. and other towns along the border, and did invade Canada. They did fight. They were doing quite well, until the U.S. withdrew their support of them. Then they began to lose. As you already know Harney was Irish-born, and he had skills that the Fenians could use.
I'm looking for him in their records. 1 Did he join them? 2 Did he fight? 3 Was he captured? 4 Did he survive? 5 Where did he go after that? And 6 with Whom?
I feel that one of those Tom Harneys in remote Montana, etc. might be our "made over" Torpedo man.
...gimme time, and stay tuned in.
P.S. If you have any ideas, tell me about them. plez.