Thomas F. Harney

[SSlater]

Here's a look at Harney's life in the 2nd U.S. Infantry, Company B. in 1853. At that time, the 2nd Inf. was posted to Fort Randall, which was located on the Western edge of what today is The Missouri National Recreational River. Of course , today the Fort is in ruins, but it is identifiable. It was on the West bank of the river, near the South Dakota - Nebraska border.
The Fort was established by General William Selby HARNEY. (I doubt that he was any relation to Thomas, because the General was born Aug. 27, 1800 in Haysboro, Tenn.) The Fort was intended to keep peace between the Indians and the settlers, and to keep Peace between the Indian tribes.
There were some comments about the "quality" of the Troopers and their Life, that manned the Fort. "The daily routine was monotonous -day after day it was the same. -that led to low morale and desertions. One half of the recruits were Irish immigrants. (the Irish were not thought of as desirable, and they couldn't find other jobs.) The Fort hosted the likes of Buffalo Bill and Jim Bridger. In later years it was the prison for "Sitting Bull" and "Standing Bear".
PS. There were other military units there at the same time - such as "Mounted Infantry" and "Cavalry" I 'll bet that Harney was sun burned from 1853 until 1858, when his enlistment expired. I wonder if the 2nd Inf played parts in those old Western Movies.