William H. Forney

William Henry Forney
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 7th district
In office March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1893
Preceded by	District re-established
Succeeded by	William Henry Denson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's at-large district
In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877
Preceded by	Charles Christopher Sheats
Succeeded by	District inactive
Personal details
Born	November 9, 1823 Lincolnton, North Carolina
Died	January 16, 1894 (aged 70) Jacksonville, Alabama
Nationality	United States
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Service/branch	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1861 – 1865
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	10th Regiment Alabama Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

William Henry Forney (November 9, 1823 – January 16, 1894) was a U.S. Representative from Alabama. He was the grandson of Peter Forney and nephew of David M. Forney and the brother of John Horace Forney.

Biography

Forney was born in Lincolnton, North Carolina but moved with his parents to Alabama as a child. He was the older brother of Confederate Brigadier General John Horace Forney, first cousin of Confederate Brigadier General Robert Daniel Johnston and second cousin of Confederate Major Generals Robert F. Hoke and Stephen Dodson Ramseur. Forney pursued an education in classical studies, and graduated from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa in 1844. He served in the Mexican War as a first lieutenant in the First Regiment of Alabama Volunteers. Upon returning from the War, Forney studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1848 and commenced practice in Jacksonville, Alabama. Forney served as a Trustee of the University of Alabama from 1851-1860. In 1859 and 1860, Forney served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives.

Civil War

During the Civil War Forney entered the Confederate States Army in 1861 as a captain in the 10th Regiment Alabama Infantry, and was successively promoted to major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel. He was regarded as a brave and effective commander. He was left on the field at Gettysburg with multiple wounds and remained a prisoner for more than a year. Following his parole, he was promoted to brigadier general and commanded a brigade in Mahone's division.^[1] He served in that capacity until the surrender at Appomattox.

Post-War career

After the War, Forney served as member of the State senate in 1865 and 1866. He was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth and to the eight succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1893). He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Treasury (Forty-sixth Congress). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1892.

He was appointed by President Grover Cleveland to be a member of the Gettysburg Battlefield Commission and served until his death in Jacksonville, Alabama, January 16, 1894. He was interred in City Cemetery.

See also

• List of American Civil War generals

References

1. ↑ "Warner, Generals in Gray, p. 91"

• William H. Forney at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved on 2008-10-19

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links