Biography of General William Henry Forney

One of two North Carolina brothers that became Confederate generals, William Forney had a reputation as an efficient and fearless officer.

Born in Lincolntown on November 09, 1823 (he shares a birthday with A.P. Hill!), Forney accompanied his parents to Alabama in 1835. He graduated from the state university in 1844, then began to study law. However, the Mexican War interrupted his studies. He served a year in Mexico, then returned home and was admitted to the bar. He was a member of the Alabama legislature in 1859 as well. He entered Confederate service from Alabama.

Forney began his career as a captain with the 10th Alabama Infantry. He was wounded in the shinbone at Dranesville on December 20, 1861 and had to miss two months of service.

Returning to his regiment, he was wounded again at the battle of Williamsburg when his right arm was fractured by a minie ball. He was captured by the Federal troops when they occupied Williamsburg.

After four months, Forney was exchanged. He was slightly wounded in the leg at Salem Church on May 3, 1863. He was wounded several times on July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg: while charging the enemy lines he took flesh wounds to his chest and arm, suffered a fracture in the same place in his right arm as his Williamsburg wound, and then, after he fell, he was struck in the left heel. Forney's wounds were so severe that he was left to the Union and captured on July 5. Forney was held as a prisoner for thirteen months. When he returned to Southern service he had been promoted to colonel. After his exchange he led a brigade in Mahone's division until Appomattox.

His promotion to general ranked from February 15, 1865. After the War, Forney returned to his law practice in Jacksonville, Alabama. He served in Congress continuously from 1875 to 1893. He died on January 16, 1894 and was buried in Jacksonville's City Cemetery. Forney's younger brother John Horace was a major general and served in the Western theater.

About this Page - the Site

This officer was a member of Wilcox's Brigade in Anderson's / Mahone's Division.

The webmaster likely has no information about this officer beyond what is contained here. If you would like to contribute additional information about this officer, please email the webmaster.

This page is an officer biography that is part of a large index of officers who served in the Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. This officer index is contained on a website devoted to Confederate General A.P. Hill titled And Then A.P. Hill Came Up. The site is copyright 1997 - 2007 by Jennifer Goellnitz. Email Jenny at jgoellnitz [@] gmail.com.