American Civil War Union Army Brigadier General. After completing his local education, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Lawrenceville, Illinois and established a law practice there, and later moved it to Mount Vernon, Indiana. When the American Civil War broke out in April 1861, he joined the Union Army and became a major in the 14th Indiana Infantry. In the early days of the war, he participated at the Battles of Cheat Mountain and Greenbrier River in Virginia, followed by several engagements against Confederate General Stonewall Jackson during the Valley Campaign. In 1862, following the 1st Battle of Kernstown, he was promoted to the rank of colonel. He then served with the Army of the Potomac and saw action at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, and the Battle of Fredericksburg in Virginia. In April 1863 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and commanded the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, II Corps at the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. participating in the defense of Pickett's fateful charge on the last day of the battle. Afterwards, his perceived inability to work with his superiors and to effectively lead his men, coupled with his sobriety issues, caused him to be relieved of his command and was assigned to the Western Theater where he participated in the Atlanta Campaign, where his problems continued to haunt him. After the Union Army was reorganized in September 1864, he was left without a command, and he resigned the following year. He then returned to his law practice and engaged in local politics. He was killed in a train accident at the age of 49.
American Civil War Union Army Brigadier General. After completing his local education, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Lawrenceville, Illinois and established a law practice there, and later moved it to Mount Vernon, Indiana. When the American Civil War broke out in April 1861, he joined the Union Army and became a major in the 14th Indiana Infantry. In the early days of the war, he participated at the Battles of Cheat Mountain and Greenbrier River in Virginia, followed by several engagements against Confederate General Stonewall Jackson during the Valley Campaign. In 1862, following the 1st Battle of Kernstown, he was promoted to the rank of colonel. He then served with the Army of the Potomac and saw action at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland, and the Battle of Fredericksburg in Virginia. In April 1863 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and commanded the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, II Corps at the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. participating in the defense of Pickett's fateful charge on the last day of the battle. Afterwards, his perceived inability to work with his superiors and to effectively lead his men, coupled with his sobriety issues, caused him to be relieved of his command and was assigned to the Western Theater where he participated in the Atlanta Campaign, where his problems continued to haunt him. After the Union Army was reorganized in September 1864, he was left without a command, and he resigned the following year. He then returned to his law practice and engaged in local politics. He was killed in a train accident at the age of 49.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Inscription
Gen. William Harrow
Maj. Of The 14th Ind. Vols. Later
Com. Of 4th Div. 15th Army Corps. At
Battle Of Gettysburg. Born At Win-
chester Clarke Co. Ky.Nov. 14, 1822
Died At New Albany Ind. Sept. 27, 1872
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